title: Effects of vacuum suctioning and strategic drape tenting on oxygen concentration in a simulated surgical field.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the isolated and combined effects of vacuum suctioning and strategic drape tenting on oxygen concentration in an experimental setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical simulation center of a university-affiliated hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mannequin simulation of a patient undergoing facial surgery under sedation anesthesia. Supplemental oxygen was delivered via nasal cannula.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vacuum suctioning and strategic drape tenting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experimental trials entailed measuring oxygen concentration around the nasal cannula continuously either in the presence or absence of a standard operating room vacuum suction system and strategic tenting of surgical drapes. The primary outcome was the time required for oxygen concentration to reach 21%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the control group (without suction or strategic tenting), a mean time of 180 seconds elapsed until the measured oxygen concentration reached 21% after cessation of oxygen delivery. Use of a vacuum suction device alone (110 seconds; P < .01) or in combination with strategic tenting (110 seconds; P < .01) significantly reduced this time. No significant benefit was seen when tenting was used alone (160 seconds; P < .30).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a vacuum suction device during surgery will lower local oxygen concentration, and this in turn may decrease the risk of operating room fires. Although strategic tenting of surgical drapes has a theoretical benefit to decreasing the pooling of oxygen around the surgical site, further investigation is necessary before its routine use is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Theodore A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kung
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Oluseyi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aliu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Jahan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Azizi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kai
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: cederna@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Cederna
mesh_terms: D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D012306:Risk; D013396:Suction; D014618:Vacuum
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Drape tenting; Operating room fire; Oxygen concentration; Vacuum suctioning