The effectiveness of "Protex" for disinfection of the ultrasound probe.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of "Protex" (Parker; Fairfield, NJ, USA) for disinfection of ultrasound probes. We examined bacterial contamination on ultrasound probes that were wiped with a plain paper towel, with a plain and an ethanol-soaked paper towel, or with a plain and Protex-soaked paper towel. The plain paper towel was used to remove the gel, and was contaminated by large numbers of bacteria, but the use of ethanol-soaked paper towels and that of paper towels soaked in Protex™ broad-spectrum disinfectant (Parker: Fairfield, NJ, USA) reduced those numbers markedly.

[New monitoring method for the pudental nerve during surgery: cases of intraoperative monitoring for lumbo-sacral lipomeningocele].

We carried out intraoperative monitoring of the pudental nerve while separating vertebral spinal tumors from the spinal cord in five patients, including four infants. Although monitoring using a manometer or needle electrodes has been reported, monitoring done with disk electrodes to ascertain the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the external sphincter muscle has not been yet attempted. Prior to the surgical procedure, we locate a point suitable for CAMP recording of the muscle.