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Surgical plume in dermatology: an insidious and often overlooked hazard |
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| Authors: | T. Searle F. R. Ali F. Al-Niaimi |
| Affiliation: | 1. University of Birmingham Medical School, Birmingham, UK;2. Vernova Healthcare Community Interest Company, Macclesfield, UK;3. Dermatological Surgery and Laser Unit, St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s Hospital Cancer Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK Department of Dermatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark |
| Abstract: | Dermatologists performing surgical procedures face occupational and health hazards when exposed to surgical plume released during electrosurgical and ablative laser procedures. These hazardous fumes have toxic, infectious and carcinogenic effects. Understanding this risk is of particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic as the understanding of the transmissibility and infectious nature of the virus is still evolving rapidly. In this article, we present the hazards from laser and surgical plumes, and discuss possible preventative measures aimed at reducing these risks. |
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