Figure 2.

Changes in mean particle concentration particles/ft³ (p/ft³) exposure for different OR personnel before and after surgical instrument. All pre-instrumentation values normalized to zero to illustrate changes in concentration. (a) The mean difference in particle concentration before and after cold instrumentation with suction was 716 p/ft³ at the surgeon position, −112 p/ft³ at the circulator workstation position, and –398 p/ft³ at the anesthesia provider position. (b) Ex vivo aerosol concentrations measured after progressively longer durations of use, demonstrated comparable aerosol concentrations when compared at the operator position. (c) The mean difference in particle concentration before and after microdebrider use was 1825 (p = 0.001) at the surgeon position, 40 p/ft³ at the circulator workstation position, and −935 p/ft³ at the anesthesia provider position. (d) The mean difference in particle concentration before and after drill use was 2418 p/ft³ (p = 0.001) at the surgeon position, –34 p/ft³ at the circulator workstation position, and −1690 p/ft³ at the anesthesia provider position. 95% confidence intervals designated by black bars.