Into Thin Air:
The Dangers of Smoke Plume

  • Published: 2/26/2025
  • 4 min
When it comes to the effects of surgery, one usually thinks about the benefits of having a surgery done—or perhaps even the risks involved. One such risk, and one that is garnering more and more attention, is smoke plume (or surgical plume) produced during surgery.

What Is Surgical Plume?

Surgical plume is the smoke created as tissue is vaporized during surgery. It can contain toxic gases, biomaterial, and even viruses in some cases.
PX5 LandingPage Infographic
Studies show that plume smoke can contain carcinogenic compounds and is comparable to inhaling smoke from a cigarette.
Crushed up cigarettes in a hand

What’s The Risk?
Health risks of inhaling surgical plume include:

key feature icon

Respiratory issues

key feature icon

Infections

key feature icon

Carcinogenic Exposure

key feature icon

Eye and Skin Irritation

Many states have introduced laws to mandate smoke evacuators into operating rooms. With attention being drawn to to these risks, what can be done from inside the OR to prevent smoke inhalation?
PlumeSafe® X5™.

Create A Safer, Healthier Operating Room with PlumeSafe® X5™

PlumeSafe® X5™ is a smoke management solution designed to accommodate every OR.
​
PX5 5 Stage ULPA Filtration infographic

To protect against the hazards of surgical smoke, the ULPA filter inside PlumeSafe® X5™ captures harmful, lung-damaging particulate at a very high mean efficiency (99.9997%) higher than nearly any other smoke evacuator on the market.

The PlumeSafe® X5TM is the only filter on the market proven to remove VOCs at a high rate (>99% on average) including benzene, a known carcinogen.1 As mentioned above, these carcinogens poise the same threat as smoking cigarettes, and why PlumeSafe® X5™ is vital to keep everyone’s lungs clear in the OR. PlumeSafe® X5™ is uniquely positioned to do so because of the new high-performance carbon in the filter. This type of carbon is cleaner, longer lasting, and more absorbent than other types of carbon.

​ * Data on file.​

Protect yourself from the hazards posed by surgical plume with PlumeSafe® X5™ so, you and everyone in the OR can breathe a little easier.

To see PlumeSafe® X5™ in action, contact a representative to set up a demonstration.

To see PlumeSafe® X5™ in action, contact a representative to set up a demonstration.

SCHEDULE A DEMO

Related Blogs

PRODUCT LAUNCH: HydroSeal™

2/19/2025
As the latest innovation in CONMED's comprehensive portfolio of shoulder cannulas, see what makes HydroSeal™ stand out.

Why Fast Inflow is Crucial for Arthroscopic Pumps

2/6/2025
Arthroscopic fluid management systems are the unsung heroes of the operating room. A great pump like the CrystalView™ Pro can make all the difference in your OR.

From the Field to Recovery: Tackling Football Injuries with CONMED Orthopedics

1/30/2025
All eyes are on the athletes who’ve battled through a grueling season to reach the pinnacle of football. The world of sports medicine is equally focused on helping athletes recover from injuries.

AirSeal®: Fact or Fiction

1/22/2025
In our previous blog, we uncovered fact and fiction about CONMED’s AirSeal®, the new standard of care for insufflators. Today, we’re debunking even more myths about AirSeal® to see if it’s truly fact or fiction.