Inquinamento da vapori alogenati in due sale operatorie pediatriche: il contributo della tecnica multi-punto nel monitoraggio ambientale

The great interest about anesthetics pollution in Operating Rooms (OR) is related to their hypothesized toxic action, especially in pediatric surgery, because of the potential exposure of room staff. Aim of this study was to assess the flows and dispersion of Sevofluorane (Sv) using multi-point environmental monitoring in two OR of pediatric surgery. We have recorded 44 surgical procedure; average Sv concentration was 1.32, SD±1.55 ppm; higher concentrations were detected near vents shooting (4.04±9.36ppm) in OR1 and near anesthesia machine (0.90±2.5ppm) in OR2. On the contrary, the less contaminated point was next to the walls (0.65±0.85ppm) in both the ORs. This study have shown significant differences in Sv distribution within and between the two OR, even with very low overall concentrations. It also have underlined important differences in the personnel exposure according to the place and role played in OR or in ward.