|
Plume management, smoke evacuation or site specific air purification in the operating room
environment continues to be an emerging concern.
In the late 1980's and early 1990's, laser clinicians and researchers became
 concerned about the potential dangers of breathing smoke or "plume"
generated during laser surgery. Numerous articles began to appear that
documented the contents of laser plume. These articles addressed the transmission
of dangerous chemical contaminants, viruses, bacteria and viable cells in laser
plume. As this documentation reached the market place, concern grew and hospitals
owning lasers began to also purchase smoke evacuators to remove the plume generated during
laser surgery.
|
|
HAZARDS OF
SURGICAL SMOKE |
|
- Biological
 | Virus - HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, etc. |
| Bacteria - S. Aureus, M. tuberculosis,
E.
coli, spores, etc. |
| Cellular - carbonized tissue,
aerosolized
blood, etc.
|
Chemical
| Mutagens, carcinogens, allergens,
irritants to respiratory tract, toxic gases |
| Chemical byproducts include:
| - acetonitrile |
- free radicals |
| - acrolein |
- hydrogen cyanide |
| - acrylonitrile |
- methane |
| - alkyd benzenes |
- PAHs* |
| - benzene |
- propene |
| - butene |
- propylene |
| - carbon monoxide |
- pyridine |
| - creosols |
- pyrrole |
| - ethane |
- styrene |
| - thylene |
- toluene |
| - formaldehyde |
-zylene |
|
* polynuclear aromatic
hydrocarbons
|
|
|
|
It is now understood that Electrosurgical Units (ESU's) create plume as toxic as plume
generated from lasers. Numerous organizations have recommended the use of smoke
evacuators during laser and ESU procedures. These organizations include NIOSH
(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Heath), ANSI (American National Standard
Institute) and AORN (Association of Operating Room Nurses).
Smoke
Evacuation and Filtration
Recommendations by National Organizations
For further information on the hazards of surgical plume, current studies, updates on
OSHA/NIOSH guidelines and/or mandates, please see our LINKS page. Here you will find links
to important sources of information and useful articles and publications available on
surgical plume.
|
|
