Lasers in Medicine - Rules, Regulations, and Practices in Managing Laser Plume

摘要

The use of lasers for medical and dental applications has grown significantly over the past two decades. Unfortunately, when any type of thermal or ablative instrument, such as laser energy, electrosurgery, argon, or plasma is applied to human tissue an unwanted byproduct is produced which is commonly known as surgical smoke. Through a significant number of research articles, studies, and published standards, it is well documented that surgical laser plume must be evacuated and filtered to protect healthcare workers and their patients from the biological, chemical, and physical contaminants that reside within this laser plume. A portion of this program will discuss some of the emerging international standards and government regulations as they relate to the management of plume.rnDespite the best efforts of Laser Safety Officers and other healthcare safety officials, adoption of plume evacuation in some areas remains relatively limited. This presentation will focus on the latest scientific information relating to the potential spread of infectious disease to healthcare workers and patients through the inhalation and exposure to the biological contents contained in laser plume. Over the past two decades, we have reached a greater comprehension as to what hazards exist within surgical smoke. These hazards have not necessarily changed; however, not unlike the learning process the international community went through relating to cigarette smoke, the hazards are better understood. What will we know in 5 or 10 years that is not understood today; some ideas will be posed for potential research.rnFinally, as technology has advanced and proliferated within the medical and dental communities, so have smoke evacuation technologies. A quick synapses of the history of smoke evacuation will be providedrnincluding equipment designed for changing surgical practices. With specialty equipment uniquely engineered for LASIK, Laparoendoscopic, and aesthetic specialties, amongst others, smoke evacuation technology has evolved to become less invasive, more user friendly, and less costly.