A model of pilot study to assess the risk of exposure to surgical smokes for operating room personnel

During the last decades the exposure to surgical smokes has been a long-standing concern both in open and laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this project is to assess the health risks for medical operating room (OR) personnel associated with surgical plumes derived from laparoscopic procedures. The purpose of this model is to check the correlation between the concentration of toxic elements derived from electrosurgical procedures in the operating setting air and the concentration of the same substances in urine and plasma of patients and operating staff. Moreover, it will be considered also the correlation between toxic concentration and time of exposure. The results of the study could be relevant to indicate if individual protection devices are efficacious to make the surgical procedure safe for patients and staff or if any adequacy has to be considered. Some unexpected difficulties delayed the expected results.