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.