i was thinking sterilization cause due to being a surgical instrument, but can we sterilse plastic in autoclave or UV lights? confusing question.......
Most plastic stuff comes already sterile from the manufacturer. There is the option of gas sterilization, if the tubing won't survive an autoclave. Most surgical instruments are metal and ARE re-sterilized, at least in the OR's where I work. We don't reuse tubing.
It would be sterilized when manufactured, and then disposed of in an autoclave afterwards. Plastic tubing (at least in developed countries) is not reused. In fact most surgical instruments are disposable now, mainly due to the fact that nothing else completely removes the risk of prion infection.
