Objectives: The exposure to the volatile compounds produced during the operation is
particularly significant for personnel operating on patients with massive burns, since the
optimal procedure for treating massive and deep burns is the early removal of tissue necrosis.
For this purpose i.a. electrosurgery is used. The use of such instruments generates high
temperature and increases exposure to harmful volatile agents in the smoke discharged from
the tissues that are being removed. Our aim of study was qualitative and semi-quantitative
analysis of non-polar volatile compounds released during burned tissue excision using cutting
diathermy.

Methods: The study was conducted during resection of patient’s burned tissue on the first day
after the burn (30% TBSA, depth third degree). The analyzed compounds were being
absorbed by solid state extraction, using SPME fibers. Exposure time of the fibers was 30
minutes and began with the start of the procedure. The fibers were analyzed by gas
chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Results: In our pilot studies which employed SPME technique to test surgical smoke
composition, we have demonstrated the presence of several hundred of non-polar organic
compounds. They were identified as simple aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as acid
ester, hexane, acetone and complex organic derivatives of unknown toxicology.

Conclusions: The current tests of electrosurgical smoke and fumes have been connected with
the resection of healthy tissue. Our research, for the first time, shows the analysis of smoke
resulting from the burned tissue resection. The majority of detected compounds has a

potentially toxic effect and may constitute risk factors for the theatre personnel, that had not
been previously taken into account.

The exposure of the theatre personnel to the volatile compounds produced during the operation of burn tissue with the use of diathermy