The Effect of Masks on Surgical Smoke Exposure

Surgical smoke refers to the gaseous plume released into the air as a result of the thermal destruction of tissues by energy-based devices used in operating rooms. The composition of surgical smoke may include various organic compounds. In the literature, the most frequently identified chemical substances in surgical smoke are formaldehyde, acrolein, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, hydrocyanic acid, phenols, nitriles, acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide, benzene, and toluene. These particles can negatively affect the health of the operating room personnel. According to current guidelines, masks are recommended as the primary personal protective equipment to prevent respiratory exposure associated with surgical smoke. During surgical procedures, operating room staff frequently use surgical masks. Although surgical masks are the most commonly preferred personal protective equipment to protect healthcare workers against microorganisms and aerosols, they are unfortunately ineffective in filtering small particles. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the impact of different types of masks on exposure to surgical smoke.