Safe management of surgical smoke in the age of COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in a plethora of guidance and opinion from surgical societies. A controversial area concerns the safety of surgically created smoke and the perceived potential higher risk in laparoscopic surgery.

Methods

The limited published evidence was analysed in combination with expert opinion. A review was undertaken of the novel coronavirus with regards to its hazards within surgical smoke and the procedures that could mitigate the potential risks to healthcare staff.

Results

Using existing knowledge of surgical smoke, a theoretical risk of virus transmission exists. Best practice should consider the operating room set-up, patient movement and operating theatre equipment when producing a COVID-19 operating protocol. The choi

SUBMITTER: Mowbray NG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7267397 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature