Flexible naso-endoscopic decontamination-rationalizing the next step forward.

Naso-endoscopes are important tools in the everyday practice of otolaryngology. However, cleaning methods have not yet been standardized. The aims of this article are to assess the degree of variation in practice both within and outside the UK, and to propose explanations why standard national and international guidelines have not been forthcoming. It is hoped that the systematic identification of the problems facing health authorities will lead to a better understanding of the task at hand, and bring us closer to drawing up a more specific standard for 'best possible' practice.