Experimental Model to Test Electrostatic Precipitation Technology in the COVID-19 Era: A Pilot Study - 23/11/20

Abstract |
Background |
In the COVID-19 crisis, laparoscopic surgery is in focus as a relevant source of bioaerosol release. The efficacy of electrostatic aerosol precipitation (EAP) and continuous aerosol evacuation (CAE) to eliminate bioaerosols during laparoscopic surgery was verified.
Study design |
Ex-vivo laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LCs) were simulated ± EAP or CAE in Pelvitrainer equipped with swine gallbladders. Release of bioaerosols was initiated by performing high-frequency electrosurgery with a monopolar electro hook (MP-HOOK) force at 40 watts (MP-HOOK40) and 60 watts (MP-HOOK60), as well as by ultrasonic cutting (USC). Particle number concentrations (PNC) of arising aerosols were analyzed with a condensation particle counter (CPC). Aerosol samples were taken within the Pelvitrainer close to the source, outside the Pelvitrainer at the working trocar, and in the breathing zone of the surgeon.
Results |
Within the Pelvitrainer, MP-HOOK40 (6.4 × 105 cm-3) and MP-HOOK60 (7.3 × 105 cm-3) showed significantly higher median PNCs compared to USC (4.4 × 105 cm-3) (p = 0.001). EAP led to a significant decrease of the median PNCs in all 3 groups. A high linear correlation with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.852, 0.825, and 0.759 were observed by comparing MP-HOOK40 (± EAP), MP-HOOK60 (± EAP), and USC (± EAP), respectively. During ex-vivo LC and CAE, significant bioaerosol contaminations of the operating room occurred. Ex-vivo LC with EAP led to a considerable reduction of the bioaerosol concentration.
Conclusions |
EAP was found to be efficient for intraoperative bioaerosol elimination and reducing the risk of bioaerosol exposure for surgical staff.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Visual Abstract |
Abbreviations and Acronyms : CAE, COVID-19, CPC, EAP, LC, MP HOOK, PNC, USC
Plan
Authors Buggisch and Göhler contributed equally to this work. |
|
Disclosure Information: Nothing to disclose. |
|
Support: Dr Göhler was supported by the Development Bank of Saxony (SAB) under grant 100374636. |
|
Disclaimer: We explicitly emphasize that all authors declare no financial ties or any other conflicts of interest with Aesculap, BOWA-electronic or Alesi Surgical. Furthermore, there is no conflict of interest or financial ties to declare between Alesi Surgical and Aesculap. |
Vol 231 - N° 6
P. 704-712 - décembre 2020 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.