Surgical smoke and the anesthesia provider

Analysis and visualization of the research progress on surgical smoke

BACKGROUND

With the advancement of medical technology, tools such as electrosurgical equipment, laser knives, and ultrasonic scalpels have made modern medical procedures more convenient and effective. However, the generation of surgical smoke during these procedures poses significant health risks to medical personnel. Despite this, only a few studies have examined the literature systematically in this area. By analyzing bibliometric data on surgical smoke, we can gain insights into current research hotspots and forecast future trends.

METHODS

This study included literature related to surgical smoke from the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, covering the period from 2000 to 2024. We used VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and BioBERT to visualize research trends and hotspots.

RESULTS

In the early stages of research, the focus was mainly on the composition, generation mechanisms, and susceptible populations related to surgical smoke. In recent years, with the development of laparoscopic surgery and the global COVID-19 pandemic, research interests have shifted towards occupational protection of healthcare workers and public health. Currently, the research in this field primarily explores the promoting effects of surgical smoke on conditions such as inflammation and tumors, as well as occupational protection and health education for healthcare workers. Disease research focuses heavily on Smoke Inhalation Injury, Infections, Neoplasms, Postoperative Complications, and Inflammation.

CONCLUSION

We explored future research directions in the field of surgical smoke using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and BioBERT. Our findings indicate that current research focuses on investigating the promoting effects of surgical smoke on conditions such as inflammation and tumors, as well as on occupational protection and health education for healthcare workers. We summarized existing preventive measures, aiming to facilitate further research advancements and the translation of research outcomes into clinical results. These efforts provide new insights for advancing research in occupational protection of healthcare workers.

The Impact of Electrocautery Smoke on Surgical Staff and the Efficacy of Normal Surgical Masks Versus N95 Masks

Electrocautery is a commonly used technique in surgical procedures, generating smoke that poses health risks to surgical staff. This study investigates the comparative efficacy of normal surgical masks versus N95 masks in mitigating the harmful effects of electrocautery smoke. Through a systematic review of literature spanning two decades, we explore the causes and effects of electrocautery smoke exposure, including potential long-term inhalation effects. Our findings highlight significant disparities in the protection offered by different masks and underscore the importance of adequate respiratory protection in surgical settings. In addition, we examine the factors influencing the generation and composition of electrocautery smoke, such as the power settings used, the type of tissue being cauterized, and the duration of the procedure. Furthermore, we discuss the potential health risks associated with long-term exposure to electrocautery smoke, including the possibility of respiratory conditions, cardiovascular effects, and carcinogenicity. Our analysis also addresses the importance of implementing appropriate smoke evacuation systems and optimizing operating room ventilation to minimize the concentration of smoke particles in the surgical environment. Overall, this comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the impact of electrocautery smoke in surgical settings and the varying levels of protection offered by different masks.

Surgical smoke and the orthopedic surgeon: a non-systematic review of the hazards and strategies for mitigating risk

INTRODUCTION

Surgical smoke generated through the use of electrical surgical devices poses a risk to the surgeon, medical personnel in the operating room, and the patient by exposing them to environmentally hazardous particulate matter. Previous investigation has shown that surgical smoke leads to an increased risk of pulmonary conditions, circulatory disorders, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Transmission of infectious disease can occur through inhalation of viral particles, and the presence of carcinogens are also of major concern. The deleterious effects of surgical smoke are well documented in several subspecialties, namely dermatology and general surgery, but there has been little discussion on the topic amongst orthopedic surgeons.

METHODS

A non-systematic review of the literature was completed with the aim of identifying the major categories of adverse health effects associated with surgical smoke inhalation and offering recommendations to reduce these hazards in the orthopedic surgical community.

RESULTS

Three primary categories of risk associated with surgical smoke inhalation were identified: inflammation, viral/bacterial transmission, and carcinogenicity. In addition, strategies for mitigating risk and best practice recommendations were explored.

CONCLUSION

Surgical smoke is an under-recognized occupational hazard within the orthopedic surgery literature. There are several strategies which can be employed to reduce risk. Further investigation is needed to understand the long-term impact of these risks, as well as what can be done to improve the practicality and compliance with protective measures.

Operating room nurses' perceptions of the impact of surgical smoke and its countermeasures: A mixed-methods study

Although surgical team members are exposed to surgical smoke, most do not fully recognize the hazards of such exposure during surgery. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of surgical smoke and its countermeasures in the operating room, specifically among nurses who have been exposed to surgical smoke for a long time. This was a mixed-methods study involving focus groups and a descriptive survey. The focus group revealed that nurses believed harmful substances accumulating in the body were proportional to the years worked, and many were unaware of the existent hazards in their work environment. They encouraged the formulation of self-protection measures and perceived that the recognition of rules and collaboration should take precedence among potential countermeasures. Our survey showed that properly wearing personal protective equipment and being educated on surgical smoke hazards were identified as essential coping methods for nurses. These findings will help create awareness regarding surgical smoke hazards in operating rooms. Policies and systems need to be established at the hospital administration level to substantially reduce the risks associated with surgical smoke for operating room nurses.