Surgical smoke evacuation systems

Surgical smoke evacuation systems are high-flow suction and filtering devices used to remove, or capture, the smoke generated at the surgical site during the use of lasers and electrosurgical units (ESUs). This process helps minimize patient and staff exposure to the aerosols and gases carried by the smoke. We originally evaluated smoke evacuators in our April 1997 issue (Health Devices 26[4]). For this Update Evaluation, we have tested seven additional units from seven suppliers, using the same criteria and test methods as in the earlier study. We also present update information for the previously evaluated units, along with comparative ratings for all the units we have evaluated to date. We rated nine units in our top group for general-purpose applications (in which a hand-held nozzle will be used for most or all procedures): the Buffalo Filter PlumeSafe 1202, PlumeSafe Whisper 602, PlumeSafe Whisper Turbo, and Porta PlumeSafe 602; the ConMed 1000 SES; the Niche Medical SmartVac; the Stackhouse AirSafe VersaVac2; and the Surgimedics Plume-inator and Surgi-Fresh Mini. We rated a 10th unit, the I.C. Medical Crystal Vision ICM-360, in our top group for applications in which the evacuator will be used only with an ESU-pencil-based wand.