title: Surgical smoke and the dermatologist.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of electrosurgery and lasers by dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons has increased in recent years with the growth of technology and procedures performed. These devices produce surgical smoke that has been demonstrated to harbor live viruses and bacteria in addition to hazardous chemicals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to review the literature on surgical smoke, its effects on those exposed, and measures that may be used to protect dermatologists and their staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a review of the literature on surgical smoke during the last 25 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The studies reviewed indicate the potential for infection, carcinogenesis, and pulmonary damage as a result of exposure to surgical plume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no inclusion of literature and subsequent findings published greater than 25 years prior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is evident from our review that surgical smoke poses potential health risks to dermatologists who perform procedures using electrocautery and lasers. We recommend diligent use of high-filtration masks in addition to smoke evacuation systems to dermatologists performing laser surgery and using electrocautery. Furthermore, we advocate investigation into quantifying the exposure of dermatologists to surgical smoke in the outpatient setting.
authors.affiliation: New York University Langone Medical Center, Department of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Jesse M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. Electronic address: jeremy.brauer@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Jeremy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brauer
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ostad
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D003880:Dermatology; D004598:Electrosurgery; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009153:Mutagens / Q000032:analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D009153:Mutagens; D012906:Smoke