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Does exposure to laser plume place the surgeon at high risk for acquiring clinical human papillomavirus infection?
Author(s) -
Manson Lon Thomas,
Damrose Edward J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.23642
Subject(s) - infectivity , hpv infection , medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , plume , human papillomavirus , bovine papillomavirus , serotype , virology , surgery , biology , cancer , virus , cervical cancer , genetics , physics , genome , gene , electrical engineering , thermodynamics , engineering
BACKGROUND Laser procedures can produce a copious and complex aerosol or plume, the content and dangers of which have been questioned and investigated. Specifically, the potential for human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission from patient to surgeon via the inhalation of, or contact with, laser plume has been investigated for the past 20 years. Contradictory findings and the lack of an HPV infectivity assay have made it difficult to quantify the danger of HPV transmission via this route. With an estimated 500,000 health care workers exposed annually, the identification of HPV DNA in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and the increasing popularity of transoral laser procedures to treat these tumors, we asked the question: how safe are surgical personnel with regard to risk of HPV infection?