What is surgical smoke evacuation?
Surgical smoke evacuation systems are high-flow vacuum sources used to capture, at the surgical site, the smoke aerosols and gases generated during the use of lasers and electrosurgical units (ESUs).
What is the most effective way to control surgical smoke?
Although no guidelines on the use of respirators for surgical procedures, it seems that respirators that are at least N95 grade provide the best protection against surgical smoke produced during the use of electrocautery, lasers, or ultrasonic scalpels.
Which organizations recommend surgical smoke be removed by use of smoke evacuation?
The recommendations of NIOSH are referenced on the OSHA website on smoke evacuation. The NIOSH Hazard Control Alert on the Control of Smoke From Laser/Electric Surgical Procedures recommends evacuation and filtration of surgical smoke.
Does N95 filter surgical smoke?
“Personnel should wear respiratory protection (ie, fit-tested surgical N95 filtering face piece respirator or high-filtration surgical mask) during procedures that generate surgical smoke as secondary protection against residual plume that has escaped capture by local exhaust ventilation (LEV).”
What equipment in the OR can help decrease the amount of surgical plume during a procedure?
Plume scavenging system (PSS) is the term used for a device that captures and neutralizes plume. Plume scavenging systems are also known as smoke evacuators, laser plume evacuators, plume scavengers, and local exhaust ventilators.
What is laser plume?
What is a surgical (laser) plume? Lasers, electrocautery devices, and similar equipment are used for surgery, ablation (removal of tissues), or cauterization to vaporize, coagulate, and cut tissue. The by-products of these procedures include vapours, smoke, and particulate debris, which are collectively called plume.
What are the dangers of surgical plume?
Acute health effects of exposure to surgical smoke1-3,5 include:
- Eye, nose and throat irritation.
- Headache.
- Cough.
- Nasal congestion.
- Asthma and asthma-like symptoms.
Is surgical smoke harmful?
Repeated exposure to the contents of surgical smoke may be cumulative and increases the possibility of developing adverse health effects (Alp et al.). At high concentrations the smoke causes eye and upper respiratory tract irritation in health care personnel and creates visual problems for the surgeon.
What is a laser plume mask?
Surgical mask with extra protection, designed to protect medical staff from airborne particles generated from laser surgery.
What is a bovie machine?
Electrosurgical Units The electrosurgical unit, or Bovie, is a surgical device used to incise tissue, destroy tissue through desiccation, and to control bleeding (hemostasis) by causing the coagulation of blood.
What is the Steris smoke evacuation system?
The STERIS Smoke Evacuation System is designed to prevent the dangers of surgical smoke in the operating environment for doctors, nurses and patients alike.
How does a smoke evacuator work?
The smoke evacuator has improved technology to make use quieter and easier, and delivers a highly effective method of collecting and filtering smoke produced during either open or laparoscopic procedures. The system offers a smoke collection tube that slips over the electrosurgery pencil at the surgeon’s hand.
Are smoke evacuators safe for nurses?
The use of smoke evacuators is strongly recommended by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses to protect staff against smoke plumes created by electrocautery devices.
