Journal article
Aerosolisation in endonasal endoscopic pituitary surgery
Rana S Dhillon, Lana Nguyen, Wagih Abu Rowin, Ruhi S Humphries, Kevin Kevin, Jason D Ward, Andrew Yule, Tuong D Phan, Yi Chen Zhao, David Wynne, Peter M McNeill, Nicholas Hutchins, David A Scott
PITUITARY | SPRINGER | Published : 2021
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the particle size, concentration, airborne duration and spread during endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery in actual patients in a theatre setting. METHODS: This observational study recruited a convenience sample of three patients. Procedures were performed in a positive pressure operating room. Particle image velocimetry and spectrometry with air sampling were used for aerosol detection. RESULTS: Intubation and extubation generated small particles (< 5 µm) in mean concentrations 12 times greater than background noise (p 75 µm), remained airborne for up to 10 s and travelled up to 1.1 m. Use of a microdebrider generated mean aerosol concentrations 18 times above base..
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