Introduction: Single-use medical devices (SUDs) are labeled for single use only, but rising health care costs along with the absence of visible deterioration in the quality of SUDs after one use have led to their reprocessing and reuse. In the past, SUDs mainly consisted of equipment such as guidewires and catheters. However, SUDs have now expanded to flexible endoscopes and energy devices that are much more expensive. Reuse of such devices raises concerns of infection transmission, safety, and lack of effectiveness. We reviewed the disinfection process, cost benefits, potential harms, and legal status of the reuse of SUDs in endourology. Materials and Methods: PUBMED, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles published between 1970 and March 2023 that reported the reuse of SUDs using the search terms "reuse"; "single-use device"; "disposable medical devices"; "reprocessing of single-use device"; "endourology"; and keywords related to cost, safety, sterilization, and legal status. Online resources were found using Google search engines. Articles on cost savings, device malfunction, disinfection, or legal status in different countries were reviewed. Results and Conclusions: Reusing SUDs has financial, environmental, and practical advantages. The potential savings on medical expenses is the most compelling argument for reprocessing disposable devices. Reusing medical equipment also contributes to the reduction of toxic biodegradable waste. However, there is a scarcity of data on the safety and efficacy of reused SUDs. For patient safety and to avoid complications, the practice must be regulated with established reprocessing standards.

中文翻译：

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一次性设备在腔内泌尿外科中的重复使用：综述。

简介：一次性医疗器械 (SUD) 只标记为一次性使用，但医疗保健成本不断上升，而且 SUD 在一次使用后质量没有明显恶化，导致对其进行再加工和再利用。过去，SUD主要由导丝、导管等设备组成。然而，SUD 现在已扩展到昂贵得多的柔性内窥镜和能源设备。此类设备的重复使用引发了对感染传播、安全性和缺乏有效性的担忧。我们回顾了腔内泌尿外科重复使用 SUD 的消毒过程、成本效益、潜在危害和法律地位。材料和方法：使用搜索词“reuse”在 PUBMED、Embase 和 Cochrane 图书馆数据库中搜索 1970 年至 2023 年 3 月期间发表的报告 SUD 重复使用的文章；“一次性设备”；“一次性医疗器械”；“一次性设备的再处理”；“腔内泌尿外科”；以及与成本、安全、灭菌和法律地位相关的关键词。使用谷歌搜索引擎找到在线资源。审查了有关不同国家的成本节约、设备故障、消毒或法律地位的文章。结果和结论：重复使用 SUD 具有财务、环境和实际优势。潜在的医疗费用节省是对一次性设备进行再处理最有说服力的理由。重复使用医疗设备还有助于减少有毒的可生物降解废物。然而，关于重复使用的 SUD 的安全性和有效性的数据很少。为了患者安全并避免并发症，必须按照既定的再处理标准来规范操作。