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An Occupational Hazard for the Surgeons
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It is not well known that “surgical smoke” generated from using electrocautery, lasers and harmonic scalpels during surgery is as harmful as cigarette smoking. The combustion by-products of the surgical plume, have substances like hydrocarbons, nitriles and hydrogen cyanide that have proven carcinogenic potential. Prolonged exposure to it has shown to cause headaches, rhinitis, weakness, dermatitis and even pneumonia. Smaller particles are a chemical hazard and larger particles are more of a biological hazard. Therefore, effective measures must be taken by the operation theatre personnel and by the management of hospitals to decrease the exposure to surgical smoke and thereby reduce it’s dangerous after effects.
Keywords
Surgical smoke, surgical plume, electrocautery, suction evacuation
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