Equine upper airway laser surgery generates plumes containing hazardous components.
Abstract: To evaluate plume composition during simulated diode laser equine upper airway surgery. Unassigned: A 980-nm diode laser fiber was applied in continuous-wave mode in contact with laryngeal and pharyngeal tissues of 6 equine cadaver heads, and resultant plumes were collected for analysis. Measured parameters included the real-time concentration of particulate matter under the size of 2.5 μm (PM2.5), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Unassigned: Visible smoke was encountered during surgical laser application and plume collection. Diode laser median activation time was 326 seconds (IQR, 116 to 387 seconds), and median energy was 8,099 J (IQR, 2,721 to 9,110 J). Mean real-time PM2.5 concentrations during laser procedures exceeded 5 mg/m3 throughout. Organic carbon concentrations were much higher than EC concentrations in the surgical plume, with a median OC/EC ratio of 422. Fifty-five individual VOCs were identified. All measured surgical plume components were higher than control samples. Unassigned: The evaluation of surgical plumes collected during simulated upper airway diode laser surgery revealed high levels of harmful fine particulate matter PM2.5 exceeding Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Increased OC and OC/EC ratio were also observed. Surgical plumes contained VOCs, including the known carcinogenic compounds benzene and toluene. Unassigned: These data suggest the need for mitigation strategies, such as specialized masks or local exhaust ventilation, to decrease the exposure of personnel to plumes generated during equine upper airway laser surgery.
Publication Date: 2025-02-06 PubMed ID: 39914000DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.24.11.0338Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper examines the composition of plumes produced during equine upper airway laser surgery, revealing that they contain harmful elements exceeding safety standards, suggesting that protective measures for personnel should be implemented.
Research Methodology
- The research study was designed to investigate the composition of plumes (smoke and vapor) produced during simulated diode laser surgery on the upper airway of horses.
- Experiments were conducted on the laryngeal and pharyngeal tissues of 6 equine cadaver heads using a 980-nm diode laser fiber in a continuous-wave mode.
- Plumes resulting from these surgeries were collected for analysis.
Acknowledged Results
- Visible smoke was observed during the application of surgical laser and plume collection.
- The diode laser’s median activation time was registered at 326 seconds, and the median energy it utilized was 8,099 J.
- Real-time concentration of particulate matter under the size of 2.5 μm (PM2.5) consistently surpassed 5 mg/m3 throughout the surgical procedures.
- Organic carbon (OC) concentrations greatly outnumbered elemental carbon (EC) concentrations in the plume, with a median OC/EC ratio of 422.
- Fifty-five individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were discovered, including the known carcinogens benzene and toluene.
- All components of the surgical plume registered higher than the control samples.
Concluding Remarks
- Following the testing and evaluation phase, it was revealed that the plumes collected from simulated upper airway diode laser surgery contained dangerous levels of fine particulate matter PM2.5, beyond Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.
- An increase in OC and OC/EC ratio was also discerned.
- As a result, the authors recommended the implementation of mitigation measures such as the use of specialized masks or local exhaust ventilation systems to reduce personnel’s exposure to harmful plumes produced during equine upper airway laser surgery.
Cite This Article
APA
Sholty KA, Hecobian A, Sullivan AP, Collett JL, Koch DW, Hackett ES.
(2025).
Equine upper airway laser surgery generates plumes containing hazardous components.
Am J Vet Res, 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.24.11.0338 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
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