Guidelines for IUD sterilization.

Abstract

At its recent meetings, the IPPF International Medical Advisory Panel formulated guidelines for sterilizing bulk packaged IUDs which are supplied by IPPF to many family planning associations. They may also be supplied in the family planning field by other organizations. These guidelines are set out below to help our readers. Any of the following solutions are acceptable for sterilizing IUDs: benzalkonium chloride (1:750); aqueous iodine solution (1:2500); isopropyl alcohol (75%). The iodine solution should be freshly prepared daily as follows: 25 ml of 2% tincture of iodine in 1 liter of water, or 7 ml of 7% tincture of iodine in 1 liter of water. The IUDs and inserters should be presterilized for 24 hours in the benzalkonium chloride solution or for 10 minutes in the aqueous iodine solution or the isopropyl alcohol solution. The IUD should not be left in the benzalkonium-chloride solution for more than 24 hours at a time as the plastic may become brittle. Metal instruments should be sterilized in an autoclave or by boiling, depending on the procedure routinely used in the clinic. Chlorhexidine gluconate (Savlon) should not be used. IUDs should be stored dry, not in a sterilizing solution. At present it is not recommended that IUDs be sterilized more than 3 times.