The utility of local smoke evacuation in reducing surgical smoke exposure in spine surgery: a prospective self-controlled study

BACKGROUND CONTEXTExposure to surgical smoke remains a potential occupational health concern to spine operating room personnel. Using a smoke evacuator (local exhaust ventilation) is currently regarded as a primary means of protection, yet few studies have evaluated its utility in actual surgeries.OBJECTIVETo examine the utility of two common types of local smoke evacuators, a para incisional evacuator and a smoke evacuation pencil, in reducing surgical smoke exposure in spine surgery.STUDY DESIGNA prospective self-controlled study.PATIENT SAMPLEAfter the pre-estimation of sample size, 51 consecutive spine surgeries (25 and 26 patients using the para incisional smoke evacuator and the smoke evacuation pencil, respectively) were enrolled between February 2018 and March 2019.OUTCOME MEASURESTwo outcome measures were used to evaluate the level of surgical smoke exposure, which was defined as the concentration of ultrafine smoke particles in the air (number of particles per cm³, ppc) around the operating table: (a) the average smoke level was the arithmetic mean of all measurements recorded during the surgery; and (b) the peak smoke level was the highest measurement recorded.METHODSConsecutive surgeries that involved bilateral symmetrical surgical exposure of the spine via a posterior midline incision were evaluated. Cauterized smoke was evacuated by two smoke evacuators: a “para incisional evacuator,” which used a flat broad suction pad positioned immediately adjacent to the incision (25 patients), and a “surgical smoke evacuation pencil” which is an incorporated part of the electrocautery (26 patients). The level of smoke exposure was measured separately when surgically exposing the two sides of the spine: starting with one side (determined randomly) with the smoke evacuator being turned on and, then, the other side with the smoke evacuator off. The results were compared between the two sides.RESULTSThe para incisional smoke evacuator significantly reduced the average smoke level by an average of 59.7% (287 interquartile range {IQR}: 126, 526] vs. 1,177 IQR: 395, 2,702], p<.001). The surgical smoke evacuation pencil also reduced the average smoke level by an average of 44.1% (917 IQR: 448, 1936] vs. 1,605 IQR: 775, 4,280], p<.001). Both evacuators significantly reduced peak smoke levels as well.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides evidence supporting the utility of local smoke evacuation in reducing surgical smoke exposure in spine surgery. Such technology may help to improve the occupational health protection for spine operating room workers.