Title: | Comparison of the Effects of Surgical Smoke on the Air Quality and on the Physical Symptoms of Operating Room Staff |
Author(s): | Soysal GE; Ilce A; Lakestani S; Sit M; Avcioglu F; |
Address: | "Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey. Department of Nursing, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey. Scientific Industrial and Technological Application and Research Center, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey. General Surgery, Medical Faculty, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey. Medical Microbiology Department, Medical Faculty, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey" |
DOI: | 10.1177/10998004221151157 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1552-4175 (Electronic) 1099-8004 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Surgical smoke can be a hazard because e it contains toxic gases with carcinogenic effects that may threaten health. This study aims to determine the effect of surgical smoke containing toxic chemicals on indoor air quality and examine employees' physical symptoms in the operating room. METHOD: The study was conducted in the operating room between June 2020 and July 2020. In the study, 45 air samples were taken before, during, and after surgery using the active sampling method. Nineteen employees working in the operating room were asked about their physical complaints and their throat cultures were taken before and after surgery. These results were compared with those of the employees working in internal units. RESULTS: The Total Volatile Organic Compounds value at the time of surgery was significantly higher (p = 0.05). Benzene concentrations remained constantly high (p = 0.05) throughout the surgery, exceeding the limit values. Other VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) were significantly higher during surgery and remained below the limit values (p = 0.05). When compared in terms of open and laparoscopic surgery, no difference between VOC concentrations was observed (p = 0.05). The physical symptoms of the surgical team increased during the operation, and they experienced more complaints of tearing, burning in the eyes, hair odor, nausea, and cough than those working in the internal units (e.g., internal medicine, dermatology; (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical smoke was an important contaminant for indoor air quality in the operating room" |
Keywords: | Humans Smoke/adverse effects *Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis Operating Rooms Benzene/analysis *Air Pollution employee safety indoor air quality surgery surgical smoke; |
Notes: | "MedlineSoysal, Ganime Esra Ilce, Arzu Lakestani, Sanaz Sit, Mustafa Avcioglu, Fatma eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review 2023/01/08 Biol Res Nurs. 2023 Jul; 25(3):444-453. doi: 10.1177/10998004221151157. Epub 2023 Jan 7" |