THE EFFECT OF SURGICAL MASK AND N95 MASK USE ON SURGICAL SMOKE IN OPERATING ROOM NURSES
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Surgical Mask, N95 Mask.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Surgical Smoke Exposure, Occupational Exposure to Surgical Smoke, Headache, Dizziness. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF SURGICAL MASK AND N95 MASK USE ON PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF SURGICAL SMOKE IN OPERATING ROOM
Overview
This study was conducted to compare the effect of surgical mask and N95 mask use on physical symptoms due to surgical smoke in operating theatre nurses. The study, which was conducted in a single-group prospective quasi-experimental design, was completed with 38 nurses in the operating theatre unit of a state hospital in the Western Black Sea Region. Data were collected for four weeks using the Descriptive Information Form, Numerical Rating Scale and Symptom Follow-up Form. According to the findings, muscle weakness, myalgia in the upper extremities and muscle cramps were statistically significantly less in nurses using N95 masks. Respiratory parameters, watery eyes and redness were significantly lower in nurses using surgical masks. As a result, it was determined that the type of mask was effective on the incidence of physical symptoms related to surgical smoke.
Interventions
- Device Surgical Mask
Standard surgical masks were used by operating room nurses during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke. - Device N95 Mask
N95 respirators were used by operating room nurses during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke.
Primary outcome measures
- Surgical Smoke-Related Physical Symptom Severity (Total NRS Score) [Time frame: Five days per week for a duration of four weeks both preoperatively and postoperatively]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Willingness to participate in the study
- Aged 18 years or older
- Working as a sterile operating room nurse at least 4 hours per day, 5 days per week
- Compliance with the protocol requiring continuous use of both surgical mask and N95 mask for at least 4 hours per day
- Ability to communicate verbally and provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Diagnosed psychiatric disorders
- Presence of chronic respiratory, musculoskeletal, or neurological diseases
- Presence of chronic dermatological conditions or allergies affecting the facial or respiratory area
- Speech or communication impairments
- Pregnancy
- Holding a supervisory role (e.g., charge nurse) or non-sterile nursing role
- Planned unit change or rotation during the study period
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Single group
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Bartın State Hospital — Bartın
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07404956 · BARU-SBF-2025-01