Risk of blood splashes in otorhinolaryngology surgery: do we really require protection?

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Surgeons are particularly at risk from blood borne pathogens like hepatitis and HIV during interventions or surgeries. They do take precaution to avoid the needle stick injuries but few pay attention on blood or body fluid splashes into eye. The main aim of the study was to know the risk of blood splashes in glass, gown and mask during ENT –HNS (ear, nose and throat and head and neck surgery).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The prospective study conducted in Department of ENT-HNS of Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital from 1<sup>st</sup> July 2016 to 30<sup>th</sup> September 2016. All the elective cases were included for study. Surgery was performed by the single surgeon. The surgeon wore the glass and mask during the surgery. At the end of the surgery, the glass, mask and gown was inspected by the surgeon for any blood splashes and information was recorded<span lang="EN-IN">. </span><span lang="EN-IN"> </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> There were total 62 patients with male 30 and female 32. Regarding the age, most of the patients lie between 20-50 years. The amount of blood splatter in glass, mask and gown is most common in modified radical mastoidectomy surgery. Likewise, the blood splatter is most common in tonsillectomy in throat surgery and in head and neck surgery, the blood splatter is common in all head and neck surgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The blood splashes is high even in various ENT surgeries. So it is important to take precaution by surgeon like protective mask and glass worn during surgeries to protect from various blood-borne infection transmissions<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p>