Does surgical smoke matter?

Suk-Hwan Lee

doi:10.7602/jmis.2021.24.1.1

Does surgical smoke matter?

J Minim Invasive Surg. 2021 Mar 15;24(1):1-4. doi: 10.7602/jmis.2021.24.1.1.

Author

Suk-Hwan Lee¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Surgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed our daily lives and medical practices since it was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Unlike the usual transmission patterns of other viral diseases, the asymptomatic or presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 has caused difficulties in disease control around the globe. Surgical smoke or fumes may carry viruses. However, there is no evidence that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes COVID-19, is transmitted via surgical smoke or fumes. Laparoscopic surgeries should be continued to ensure optimal patient care. This review article aimed to investigate the current evidence relating to COVID-19 in surgical care and to discuss future remedies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Keywords: COVID-19; Laparoscopy; Smoke.

Publication types

Review