1.SURGICAL SMOKE What is in it? What are the potential hazards? What measures are there to prevent exposure? Supporting papers.

1.SURGICAL SMOKE1.SURGICAL SMOKE

What is in it?What is in it?

What are the potential hazards?What are the potential hazards?

What measures are there to prevent What measures are there to prevent exposure?exposure?

Supporting papers.Supporting papers.

2.Where does it come from?2.Where does it come from?

Pyrolysis from;Pyrolysis from;

LasersLasers

Diathermy (Cut and coag)Diathermy (Cut and coag)

Harmonic scalpels Harmonic scalpels

Exceptions to the ruleExceptions to the rule

RF generated cauteryRF generated cautery

RF generated cuttingRF generated cutting

3.What does it contain?3.What does it contain?

Acrolein, CO, Creosols, Formaldehyde,Acrolein, CO, Creosols, Formaldehyde,

Hydrogen Cyanide, Phenol.Hydrogen Cyanide, Phenol.

Benzene, Methane, Propene, Styrene, Benzene, Methane, Propene, Styrene,

Toluene - amongst 70 othersToluene - amongst 70 others

Intact viral DNA!!!Intact viral DNA!!!

Intact Cancer cells!!!Intact Cancer cells!!!

4. Particle size4. Particle size

Bone wetted with blood.Bone wetted with blood.

Coag mode Coag mode >20% less than 0.1 >20% less than 0.1 MicronMicron

Cut modeCut mode >40% less than 0.1 micron>40% less than 0.1 micron

5.Is there a danger to theatre 5.Is there a danger to theatre staff.staff.

NIOSH study 1989 (report No 85-126-NIOSH study 1989 (report No 85-126-1932) showed that contaminates were 1932) showed that contaminates were in the breathing zone of staff.in the breathing zone of staff.HIV is known to be able to infect HIV is known to be able to infect alveolar macrophages by bonding with alveolar macrophages by bonding with their CD4 receptor sites.their CD4 receptor sites.Some surgeons have claimed they have Some surgeons have claimed they have contracted HPV from Lazer smoke contracted HPV from Lazer smoke plume in treating Vaginal warts.plume in treating Vaginal warts.

6.Is there a danger to theatre 6.Is there a danger to theatre staffstaff

The mere presence of the chemicals The mere presence of the chemicals listed in slide 3 is a great cause for listed in slide 3 is a great cause for concern (NIOSH statement).concern (NIOSH statement).

7.Is there a danger to patients7.Is there a danger to patients

In a study of female patients undergoing In a study of female patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery using a smoke laparoscopic surgery using a smoke generating device,generating device,

100% had an abnormal and significant 100% had an abnormal and significant elevation of methemoglobin levels in elevation of methemoglobin levels in their blood.their blood.

8.Prevention8.Prevention

Smoke extractorsSmoke extractors

Masks and gogglesMasks and goggles

Hood and helmet systemsHood and helmet systems

Plumeaway Plumeaway

9.Supporting papers9.Supporting papers

Supporting papers can be requested Supporting papers can be requested through Q Technologies Education, or through Q Technologies Education, or contact your local sales person.contact your local sales person.

Web sitesWeb sites

www.infectioncontroltoday.com

www.aorn.orgaorn.org

www.cdc.gov

www.osha.gov.html

akmedical@live.co.ukakmedical@live.co.uk

10.Questions10.Questions