Progress in monitoring and protection against electrosurgical smoke hazards and exposure risks in operating room

The operating room is the core settings of various surgical treatments, and exhibits distinct attributes and systemic complexities. Medical staff who work long term in operating rooms face multiple exposures to potential health hazards. Especially with the progress of electrosurgical technology and the frequent use of electrosurgical equipment, the possible health effects of the resulting electrosurgical smoke to those working in operating rooms have gradually attracted attention. This paper reviewed the composition, hazard, exposure risk monitoring, and protective measures of electrosurgical smoke, aiming to deepen the understandings of potential health risks of electrosurgical smoke, improve the self-protection awareness of medical staff, strengthen attention to electrosurgical smoke protection in all hospitals, and ensure the occupational safety of medical staff.