Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Smoke Evacuator on Reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds and Particles in Surgical Smoke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Surgical smoke is an occupational health problem and is increasingly recognized as a potential source of virus transmission. Dedicated smoke evacuators are used to protect against surgical smoke exposure. We tested the hypothesis that using smoke evacuators would reduce volatile organic compounds and the number of particles in surgical smoke during the laparotomy procedure. ⋯ Dedicated smoke evacuators reduced the level of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, and the number of particles in surgical smoke, minimizing the potential exposure to volatile organic compounds and particle matters during surgery.
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In recent years, the adoption of electric scooters has been accompanied by a surge of scooter-related injuries in the US, raising concerns for their severity and associated healthcare costs. This study aimed to assess temporal trends and outcomes of scooter-related hospital admissions compared with bicycle-related hospitalizations. ⋯ The prevalence and severity of scooter-related injuries have significantly increased in the US, thereby attributing to a substantial cost burden on the healthcare system. Multidisciplinary efforts to inform safety policies and enact targeted interventions are warranted to reduce scooter-related injuries.