The effect of surgical smoke on operating room staff

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of surgical smoke on perioperative team. Method: This experimentally planned study was completed in three stages between June 2018 - February 2019 at Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital General Surgery Department Operating Room. In the first stage of the study, air samples were taken from different parts of the operating room. In the second stage, volatile organic compounds were measured in the respiratory area of the surgical team during Total Mastectomy. In the third stage, blood and urine samples were taken from the surgical team to examine the effects of surgical smoke before and after Total Mastectomy. Written permission was obtained from Ege University Medical Faculty Clinical Research Ethics Committee, the institution where the research was conducted and the participants to conduct the study. In the study, air samples, blood and urine samples, and Individual Identification Form and Surgery Data Collection Form were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. In analyzing data number, percentage were used for evaluating the identifier characteristics of the participants and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to compare preoperative and postoperative analysis of cases. For all results p<0.05 value were approved as statistically significant. Results: Volatile organic compounds could not be detected as a result of measurement of air samples taken during total mastectomy. the result was far below the limits that would effect human health. According to the results of the personal exposure measurement of individuals; surgical assistant, sterile nurse, circulatory nurse, auxiliary staff were found to be above the acceptable limits. Chloroform was also found to be above the limit values in the auxiliary personnel. In cases where the operation was carried out using N95 mask / safety glasses and wall type aspirator, it was determined that volatile organic compounds decreased in the preoperative blood of the employees compared to the postoperative period. There was no significant difference between the values (p> 0.05). In cases where the smoke was evacuated with free tip smoke evacuation device and pen tip smoke evacuation device, it was determined that volatile organic compounds increased in the preoperative blood of the employees compared to the postoperative period. There was no significant difference between the values (p> 0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that surgical smoke was above the limit values within the respiratory area of the operating room staff. It was determined that the chemical components (m-xylene, p-xylene) contained in the surgical smoke increased the blood values of the employees compared to the preoperative period. Therefore, it is recommended that health institutions evacuate smoke to protect the operating room staff. Keywords; Surgical smoke; operating room; staff safety; nursing.