Quality of Air in the Operating Room: Surgical Smoke-A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objective: Electrosurgery is used in almost all surgeries. The entire surgical team working in these operating rooms is exposed to surgical smoke. In the literature, there is no study examining the direct effect of surgical smoke on operating room staff and involving the entire surgical team in sampling. This study aimed to examine the operating room air quality due to surgical smoke. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in August 2018 in the operating room of the department of general surgery of a university hospital. Air samples were taken from different parts of the operating room during surgery, and levels of volatile organic compounds in the breathing zone of the surgical team were measured. Results: Volatile organic compounds were not detected in the air samples taken during the surgery. The measured levels were well below the limits that could affect human health. Levels of some volatile organic compounds in the breathing zone of the surgical team were above the limit. Benzene levels in the breathing zone of the surgical resident, scrub nurse, circulating nurse and support staff were above the normal limit, and the chloroform level of the support staff was above the normal limit. Conclusion: Levels of some volatile organic compounds in the surgical smoke from the breathing zone of operating room health care professionals were above the normal limit. It is recommended to establish a protocol for protection from surgical smoke in operating rooms and to take the necessary measures.