The Evaluation of Pre-Post Smoke Evacuation Uses on Surgical Smoke and Bio-Aerosols in Operating Rooms
The Evaluation of Pre-Post Smoke Evacuation Uses on Surgical Smoke and Bio-Aerosols in Operating Rooms
This study aims to evaluate the pre-post smoke evacuation uses on surgical smoke and
 bio-aerosols particles in operating rooms at a university hospital, Thailand.
Purpose of Project

 Smoke and bio-aerosols are routinely produced by surgical instruments; eg, lasers,
 electrosurgical units, radiofrequency devices, ultrasonic devices, power tools. Plume and
 bio-aerosols contain odor-causing and odorless toxic gases, vapors, dead and live cellular
 debris (including blood fragments), and viruses. These airborne contaminants can pose
 respiratory, ocular, dermatological and other health-related risks, including mutagenic and
 carcinogenic potential, to patients and operating room personnel. The National Institute of
 Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have also
 studied electrosurgical smoke at length. Therefore, the equipment of smoke evacuation in OR
 needs to be used. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the pre-post smoke evacuation uses
 on surgical smoke and bio-aerosols particles in operating rooms at a university hospital,
 Thailand.

 Methodology Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) guideline is used as the
 conceptual framework of this study including evidence based practice for smoke and
 bio-aerosols evacuation systems. The study design is a quasi-experimental study (manipulation
 and control only, without randomization) comparing the amount of surgical smoke and
 bio-aerosols particles pre- post smoke evacuation uses. The samples consist of 64 cases of
 surgical patients who receive head-neck or breast surgery and 64 cases of surgical patients
 who receive abdominal laparoscopic surgery. The amount of surgical smoke and bio-aerosols'
 particles in the surgical field and OR environment are measured by AeroTraxTM Handheld
 Airborne Particle Counter Model 9306.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Surgical patients who receive head-neck or breast surgery or surgical patients who
 receive abdominal laparoscopic surgery

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Emergency cases