Surgical smoke

[1] Studies have demonstrated, depending on several factors, it may contain carcinogens, mutagens, irritant chemicals, live viruses and bacteria, and viable malignant cells.

[3] Surgical smoke is composed of 95% water and the remaining 5% contains byproducts of combustion and cellular debris.

[5] Acute negative effects due to the exposure of surgical smoke may include headaches, eye and throat irritation, nausea, drowsiness and dizziness.

[3][1] Operating personnel have been found to have an increased risk of chronic pulmonary and upper respiratory health problems compared to other populations.

[5] Lack of SED usage has been attributed to low amounts of education surrounding the risks of surgical smoke and the surgeons' unwillingness to adopt such devices.

[3][5][6] It has been suggested that the bulkiness of these devices and noise are factors contributing to lack of surgeons' enthusiasm for SED usage.