Modern operationsmiljö och ventilation. En arbetsmiljöstudie med inriktning mot argondiatermi.

Abstract

Argon diathermy is one of many different types of electro surgical devices used during surgical operations in Sweden and the rest of the world. When argon diathermy device is used, as when traditional diathermy is used, smoke is generated. This smoke, named surgical smoke, creates an unsuitable workplace environment for the operation team. It smells, sticks in the eyes and it is possible that the smoke is injurious to health. When traditional diathermy is used well developed, air extract device can be used to evacuate the smoke but for argon diathermy the equipment can not be applied to the argon device since it would extract the argon as well as the smoke. This thesis presents particlemeasurements during real state of case operations where argon diathermy is to be used, and analyse weather there is a connection between activation of argon diathermy and an increased concentration of particles in the air. This thesis also investigates the ventilation of the operation theatre were the measurements were performed and a short literature review about particles and personal protective equipment. The measurements were performed with an equipment which measures particles in the interval 0.02-1 micrometer. The measurement probe was located just above the nose of the surgeon during six operations. Audio recording and videotaping during the operations made it possible to study the connection between activation of argon diathermy and increased particles levels. The analysis showed a strong connection between diathermy and the number of particles, an activation is almost always followed by a particles concentration peak. A majority of the particle concentration peaks are as high they reach the measuring maximum of the instrument at . A measure to protect the personnel from exposure of the smoke needs to be done. Developed personal protective equipment can not be the only solution some sort of smoke evacuation is required.