Question - The cited article notes “Surgical plume with vaporized tissue particles, pathogens, and toxic gases emanating during dermatosurgical procedures is an occupational hazard to the dermatosurgeon, and protective measures must be taken to prevent their inhalation.” What chemicals have been identified in significant concentrations in electrosurgical plume smoke?
Answer- The cited article reports “Surgical plume has been compared to smoking unfiltered cigarettes, with electrosurgical plume being twice as harmful as compared to lasers…” These authors further state that the chemicals identified in significant concentrations in electrosurgical plume smoke include: “benzene, ethyl benzene, xylene, styrene, carbon disulfide and toluene.” (Katoch S and Mysore V. Surgical smoke in dermatology: Its hazards and management. 2019 J Cutan Aesthet Surg 12 (1): 1-7)