Electrostatic Precipitation in Low Pressure Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Myomectomy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of using electrostatic precipitation to manage the surgical plume during low pressure laparoscopic gynecologic procedures.

This was a prospective, blinded, randomized controlled study of women with a clinical indication for laparoscopic hysterectomy (n = 30) or myomectomy (n = 5). Patients were randomized to either use electrostatic precipitation (EP) during the procedure, or not (No EP, hysterectomy group only).

Low pressure surgery could be undertaken in 87% of hysterectomy cases (13/15) when using EP to manage the surgical plume, compared to only 53% (8/15) in the No EP group. Overall average rating of the visual field was excellent with EP vs fair for No EP. Average CO₂ consumption was reduced by 29% when using EP (16.7L vs 23.5L, p = 0.152). The average number of procedural pauses to vent smoke was lower with EP than the No EP group (1.5 per case vs. 3.7 per case, p = 0.005). Average procedure duration for the EP vs No EP group was 40.5 min vs. 46.9 min (p = 0.987). There were no measurable differences between groups for body temperature, end-tidal CO₂, and discharge pain scores. In myomectomy, all five cases could be performed at low pressure, with an excellent visual field rating.

Electrostatic precipitation enhances low pressure laparoscopic hysterectomy and myomectomy. This was achieved by minimizing interruptions to surgery and exchange of CO₂; providing a clear visual field throughout the procedure; and eliminating surgical smoke at the site of origin.