Evaluation of the chemical, cytological and bacteriological compositions of surgical smoke and evaluation of purification of smoke by ultraviolet light and various filters in laparoscopic surgeries

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to assess the cytological, bacterial and chemical composition of laparoscopic surgical smoke and the evaluation of purification of surgical smoke by smoke purifying device containing ultraviolet (UV) light and various filters. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery lasting >45 min were included in this randomized controlled study. The patients were divided into two groups: group A-smoke passing through smoke purifying device and group B-smoke without passing through smoke purifying device. Sample for cytological, bacteriological and chemical analysis were collected from both the groups. The primary outcome measures were to find the cytological, bacteriological and chemical composition of surgical smoke. The secondary outcome measure was evaluation of purification of surgical smoke by smoke purifying device containing ultraviolet light and various filters. Intergroup comparison of categorical and continuous variables was done using the Chi square test/Fisher’s exact test and unpaired t test respectively. Results: The present study shows the group A wherein smoke evacuating device containing various filters were used has no bacterial growth as well as no cells seen on cytological evaluation as compared to the group B wherein 21/30 (70.0%) cases had few lymphocytes and 3/30 (10.0%) cases had coagulase-negative Staphylococci wherein smoke evacuation device was not used. However, the chemical composition was comparable in both the groups. Conclusions: The smoke evacuation and filtration device, filtrates and clears the smoke of cells and bacteria as it passes through it.