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Microbiologic activity in laser resurfacing plume and debris
Author(s) -
Capizzi Peter J.,
Clay Ricky P.,
Battey Mary Jo
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1998)23:3<172::aid-lsm7>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , bacterial growth , aerosolization , plume , laser , bacteria , staphylococcus , smoke , medicine , staphylococcus aureus , surgery , chemistry , biology , optics , anesthesia , genetics , physics , inhalation , thermodynamics , organic chemistry
Background and Objective: With the increasing use of laser resurfacing, concerns have arisen about the biological hazards associated with the procedure. This study analyzed the potential bacterial and viral exposure to operating room personnel as a result of the laser smoke plume in CO 2 laser resurfacing. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Thirteen consecutive patients underwent CO 2 laser resurfacing. A HEPA filter in the smoke evacuator was used to collect specimens of the laser plume smoke for cultures. The study was controlled by a second filter exposed to room air. Results The 13 patients each had one bacterial, one viral, and one control culture (total, 39 specimens). In the control group, none of the 13 specimens had any growth. No viral growth has been found to date. Of 13 bacterial cultures, 5 resulted in growth of coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus. Of these five positive specimens, one also had growth of Corynebacterium and one had growth of Neisseria.Conclusion The potential exists for operating personnel to be exposed to viable bacteria during laser resurfacing. Lasers Surg. Med. 23:172–174, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.