Abstract
BackgroundElectrocautery applications in surgical operations produce evasive odorous smoke in the cleanest operation rooms. Because of the incomplete combustion of electrical current in the tissues and blood vessels during electrocautery applications, electrocautery smoke (ES) containing significant unknown chemicals and biological forms is released. The potential hazards and cancer risk should be further investigated from the perspective of the occupational health of surgical staff.MethodsThe particle number concentration and the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ES were thoroughly investigated in 10 mastectomies to estimate the cancer risk for surgical staff. The particle number concentration and gaseous/particle PAHs at the surgeons’ and anesthetic technologists’ (AT) breathing heights were measured with a particle counter and filter/adsorbent samplers. PAHs were soxhlet-extracted, cleaned, and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.ResultsAbundant submicron particles and high PAH concentrations were found in ES during regular surgical mastectomies. Most particles in ES were in the size range of 0.3 to 0.5 μm, which may potentially penetrate through the medical masks into human respiration. The average particle/gaseous phase PAH concentrations at the surgeon’s breathing height were 131 and 1,415 ng/m3, respectively, which is 20 to 30 times higher than those in regular outdoor environments. By using a toxicity equivalency factor, the cancer risk for the surgeons and anesthetic technologists was calculated to be 117 × 10-6 and 270 × 10-6, respectively; the higher cancer risk for anesthetic technologists arises due to the longer working hours in operation rooms.ConclusionsThe carcinogenic effects of PAHs in ES on the occupational health of surgical staff should not be neglected. The use of an effective ES evacuator or smoke removal apparatus is strongly suggested to diminish the ES hazards to surgical staff.
Highlights
Electrocautery applications in surgical operations produce evasive odorous smoke in the cleanest operation rooms
This paper investigated particle number concentrations, size distribution, and gaseous and particle phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as the tracers of surgical smoke in Operation rooms (OR)
Electrocautery smoke (ES) monitoring in operating rooms (ORs) electrocautery smoke (ES) was highly related to the original application; electrocautery usage frequency was the primary indicator for its pollution level
Summary
Electrocautery applications in surgical operations produce evasive odorous smoke in the cleanest operation rooms. Operation rooms (ORs) in medical facilities are regarded as the cleanest environments because of surgical sterility requirements, surgical smoke produced by the use of electrocautery or laser systems is inevitable in modern surgery and potentially harmful to surgical personnel with long-term exposure [1]. In ORs, surgical smoke, consisting of chemical gases and particles with various sizes, raises potential health concerns to surgical personnel in the long-term medical practice. Regardless of the apparent cleanliness and sterility of ORs, viral infection and the long-term health effects of chemicals in surgical smoke have drawn increasing attention from surgical personnel [10] as well as patients that have undergone surgery [11]. Smoke evacuation in ORs has been strongly suggested to minimize exposure and related effects on health [1,12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
