Are Multi-Use Bougies a Cause for Concern?

April 28, 2025

What Is a Bougie and Why Does It Matter?

A bougie is a flexible rubber or silicone tube used in bariatric surgery to calibrate the stomach pouch. During sleeve gastrectomy, it guides the stapler along the lesser curvature to create a consistent and safe gastric sleeve.

Bougies are inserted through the esophagus and positioned along the pylorus. Because of their role in repeated tissue contact, bougies are critical to both surgical success and patient safety.

The Problem with Multi-Use Bougies

While many hospitals still reuse bougies, the risks are becoming increasingly clear. Multi-use bougies are difficult to clean and inspect. Reprocessing them between patients introduces several challenges:

1. Lack of Tracking and Inspection

• Most hospitals do not track how many times a bougie is used.
• Visual checks alone are not enough to detect micro-tears, plastic fatigue, or internal damage.
• A study in Anesthesiology found that even a single visible scratch could compromise structural integrity.

2. Risk of Contamination

• A study by Dr. J.M. Cupitt found 66% of bougies used in the OR were contaminated with bacteria and fungi.
• Organisms included Candida, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas.
• One California hospital reported infection in 30% of post-bariatric patients due to improper reprocessing.

The Cost of Reuse Is More Than Just Financial

Hospitals may opt for reusable bougies to cut costs, but these savings come with serious trade-offs:

• Cross-contamination between patients
• Degraded material performance
• Legal liability from preventable infections

The Safer Option: ViSiGi®

Boehringer Laboratories offers ViSiGi®, a single-use calibration system that eliminates all concerns about contamination and breakdown.

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