Automated method for determination of glutardialdehyde residues in flexible endoscopes after disinfection.

Glutardialdehyde (GDA) is the most commonly used disinfectant for flexible endoscopes. After inappropriate rinsing of endoscopes residual GDA in the narrow endoscope channels may lead to toxic effects in patients. Common methods for determination of aldehydes in water involve derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction and HPLC determination.