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S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
a.
not as harmful as laser plume, and doesn't need to be evacuated
b.
as harmful as laser plume, and evacuation is recommended
c.
not as harmful as laser plume, but should be evacuated
d.
as harmful as laser plume, and evacuation is mandated
Answer:
b
While some facilities have stringent policies on evacuating smoke during laser
procedures, research shows that far fewer are as strict when it comes to elec-
trosurgery. However, research shows that there is virtually no difference in the
smoke produced. Lasers and electrosurgery units both work by using high ther-
mal energy, which scatters cell contents. A study done by the ECRI Institute, an
independent research center in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., shows that when
reviewed, the particles from both laser and electrosurgical smoke look very sim-
ilar. You should have a smoke evacuation policy for both types of procedures.
Bottom line: All surgical smoke, along with the chemicals and the bioaerosol it
carries, should be considered harmful.
Which of the following is one of the health
effects of repeated exposure to surgical smoke?
a.
eye, nose and throat irritation
b.
fatigue
c.
allergies
d.
all of the above
Answer:
d
We all know surgical smoke smells bad, but did you know it could also cause
lasting effects on staff in the OR? Nurses who've been exposed to surgical
smoke often complain of eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea,
dizziness, runny nose, coughing, respiratory irritants, fatigue, skin irritation and
S U R G I C A L S M O K E
