Fig. 1.

Changes in mean particle concentration during nasal endoscopy with debridement. Preprocedure measurements demonstrated a mean particle concentration of 5,539 particle/foot³ (p/ft³), which were normalized to zero for comparison of mean particle concentrations of subsequent instrumentation. Endoscope use was associated with a mean particle concentration of 7,169 p/ft³ and a mean difference of 1,629 p/ft³ (95% CI −96 to 3,354; P = .063) from preprocedure concentrations. Cold instrumentation was associated with a mean particle concentration of 8,002 p/ft³ and a mean difference of 2,462 p/ft³ (95% CI 837 to 4,088; P = .005) from preprocedure concentrations. Suction use was associated with a mean particle concentration of 8,514 p/ft³ and a mean difference of 2,973 p/ft³ (95% CI 1,419 to 4,529; P = .001) from preprocedure concentrations. Measurements taken at the end of the procedure demonstrated a mean particle concentration of 5,816 p/ft³ with a mean difference of 276 p/ft³ (95% CI −1,120 to 1,673; P = .683).