Makama G J, Ameh E A
Department of Surgery, ABU Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria.
Niger J Med. 2007 Oct-Dec;16(4):295-300. doi: 10.4314/njm.v16i4.37325.
Surgical diathermy is an invaluable facility widely used in the operating theatre. Its application in surgical practice is rapidly expanding. However, its use may be accompanied with hazards, which this review is intended to highlight.
Publications from local and international journals were reviewed.
The role of diathermy in surgical practice has expanded beyond imagination in recent years. The patient, surgeon and the theatre staff are frequently exposed to hazards such as burns injury, electrocution, hypoxic stress, inhalation of diathermy plume, and gene mutation. However, strict adherence to preventive measures such as proper connection and handling of diathermy machine, avoidance of inflammable theatre gases, the use of suction device, theatre scavenging system and diathermy plume extraction system could significantly reduce the hazards.
Continuous exposure to electrocautery appliances in surgical practice is associated with potential risks. Optimizing health and safety in work place should be an ongoing goal. Hence, all methods geared toward the reduction of these risks to health should be emphasized.
手术电刀是手术室广泛使用的一种重要设备。其在外科手术中的应用正在迅速扩展。然而，其使用可能伴随着风险，本综述旨在强调这些风险。
对国内外期刊上的出版物进行了综述。
近年来，电刀在外科手术中的作用超出了想象。患者、外科医生和手术室工作人员经常面临烧伤、触电、缺氧应激、吸入电刀烟雾和基因突变等风险。然而，严格遵守预防措施，如正确连接和操作电刀设备、避免手术室易燃气体、使用抽吸装置、手术室清除系统和电刀烟雾抽吸系统，可以显著降低这些风险。
在外科手术中持续接触电灼设备存在潜在风险。优化工作场所的健康和安全应该是一个持续的目标。因此，应强调所有旨在降低这些健康风险的方法。
