Abstract
Laparoscopic instruments should be sterilized by high-level disinfection
(H.L.D.). Sterilization is any process that removes or kills all microbial organisms,
such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, spore forms, etc., present on a surface, contained in a
fluid, or a compound such as biological culture media. Sterilization can be achieved by
applying heat, chemicals, and irradiation; high-pressure sterilization is a process that
destroys or eliminates all forms of microorganisms. Disinfection is a process that
eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on
inanimate objects. Decontamination is the removal of all pathogenic microorganisms
from objects to make them safe to handle / use/ discard.