Surgical smoke exposure to patients and to healthcare workers in the operating room: a quantitative assessment
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Surgical smoke produced by the use of an electrosurgical unit may have a negative effect to patients and healthcare workers in the operating room, but studies on this problem are insufficient. METHODS: In 100 situations in which patients were undergoing four types of surgery under general anesthesia, the count of airborne particles (in 1.415 L) was measured using a particle counter to see possible differences at the patients and at the anesthesiologists, during different types of surgery, and at several locations. RESULTS: The airborne particles during the use of an electrosurgical unit were significantly higher than before its use, both at the patient's head (median: 56/L vs 3,514/L; 95%CI for the median difference: 769-7,699/L) and at the anesthesiologist's position (230/L vs 6,907/L; 95%CI for the median difference: 2,945-13,196/L) (p < 0.0001). The airborne particles were significantly higher during cardiovascular surgery than during open abdominal surgery (median difference in increase: 8,439/L), significantly higher during open abdominal surgery than during head and neck surgery (2,654/L), and significantly higher during head and neck surgery than during laparoscopic surgery (1,442/L) (all p < 0.0001), and were high anywhere in the operating room and even outside the operating room door (always > 2,000/L). CONCLUSIONS: During the use of an electrosurgical unit, both the patients and healthcare workers are at increased risk of being exposed to high concentrations of airborne particles derived from surgical smoke.
Source: Journal of Anesthesia
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,090
Award: G8595330241
OpenAlex ID: W7126081383