title: Composition of volatile organic compounds in diathermy plume as detected by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is some evidence that surgical plume may pose a risk to health professionals, but the risks posed by volatile organic compounds have not been thoroughly investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The composition of volatile organic compounds in diathermy plume produced during surgery was analysed by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hydrogen cyanide (3-51 parts per million), acetylene (2-8 parts per million), and 1,3-butadiene (0.15-0.69 parts per million) were identified in the plume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there is no evidence of adverse health effects from the volatile organic compound in diathermy plume, the evidence that it is safe to breathe this plume is lacking. Therefore, we would recommend the use of smoke evacuators where practical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch, New Zealand. armoot@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Moot
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ledingham
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Senti T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Senthilmohan
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roake
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allardyce
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D000114:Acetylene / Q000032:analysis; D002070:Butadienes / Q000032:analysis; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D013396:Suction; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D002070:Butadienes; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide; D000114:Acetylene