140 participants completed the survey in this study, 70 of which were veterans and 70 of which were civilian controls. 9 (13%) of VA patients experienced traumatic thoughts triggered by surgical smoke, with 6 of these patients relating these thoughts to combat. 4 (7%) of civilian controls experienced traumatic thoughts triggered by surgical smoke, with 1 patient relating these thoughts to combat.
Clinical Pearls
This survey investigated the impact of surgical smoke among patients at an outpatient Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic. Specifically, questions regarding military experience and the effects of surgical smoke on anxiety and negative thoughts was assessed.
140 participants completed the survey in this study, 70 of which were veterans and 70 of which were civilian controls. 9 (13%) of VA patients experienced traumatic thoughts triggered by surgical smoke, with 6 of these patients relating these thoughts to combat. 4 (7%) of civilian controls experienced traumatic thoughts triggered by surgical smoke, with 1 patient relating these thoughts to combat.
Likely due to this study’s small sample size, no statistically significant difference was found in surgical smoke inducing negative thoughts or feelings or thoughts of traumatic experience between VA patients and their civilian counterparts.
Discussion:
The Veterans Affairs (VA) patient population is unique and often requires specific therapeutic considerations. In this study performed at the University of Rochester, the authors sought to determine how surgical smoke may affect VA patients as compared to their civilian counterparts.
The authors used a six-question survey focused on military experience, the smell of surgical smoke, possible negative thoughts elicited from surgical smoke, and anxiety related to surgical smoke. There were 140 patients who were surveyed, with 70 of them being veterans and the other 70 civilians age and sex matched to serve as controls. Of the 70 veterans, 48 (69%) and 33 (47%) reported smelling smoke during Mohs stages and closure respectively. Compared to 40 (57%) and 35 (50%) civilian patients reporting smelling smoke during Mohs stages and closure respectively. Interestingly, more veterans reported experiencing traumatic thoughts triggered by surgical smoke (9 vs 4) when compared to civilians. Additionally, 6 veterans reported these traumatic thoughts were related to combat while only one civilian did.
It should be noted that the differences between VA patients and civilians in this study were not statistically significant, likely due to the study’s small sample size. Future studies using larger sample sizes and assessing the use of smoke evacuators in VA patients will be needed.
Comments