THE EFFECT OF SURGICAL MASK AND N95 MASK USE ON SURGICAL SMOKE IN OPERATING ROOM NURSES

NCT07404956 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: BARU-SBF-2025-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Surgical Smoke Exposure; Occupational Exposure to Surgical Smoke; Headache; Dizziness; Nause and Vomiting; Fatigue Symptom; Eye Allergies; Abdominal Pain (AP); Heart Rate Determination; SpO2; Muscle Weakness | Patient; Muscle Aches; Dispnea

Keywords

Surgical Smoke; Masks; Operating Room Nurses; Occupational Exposure

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Surgical Smoke-Related Physical Symptom Severity (Total NRS Score)

  The severity of physical symptoms related to surgical smoke exposure in operating room nurses, including headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue/weakness, loss of appetite, and dyspnea, was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Each symptom was rated on a standardized numeric scale, and a total symptom severity score was calculated by summing the individual symptom scores. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.

  Five days per week for a duration of four weeks both preoperatively and postoperatively

Study Arms (2)

Surgical Mask

EXPERIMENTAL

Operating room nurses used a standard surgical mask during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke.

Device: Surgical Mask

N95 Mask

EXPERIMENTAL

Operating room nurses used an N95 respirator during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke.

Device: N95 Mask

Interventions

Surgical Mask DEVICE

Standard surgical masks were used by operating room nurses during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke.

Also known as: Medical Surgical Mask

Surgical Mask

N95 Mask DEVICE

N95 respirators were used by operating room nurses during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke.

Also known as: N95 Respirator

N95 Mask

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bartın Unıversity: lead
• Bartin State Hospital: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Bartın State Hospital

Bartın, Bartın, 74100, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Headache; Dizziness; Vomiting; Fatigue; Abdominal Pain; Myalgia

Interventions

N95 Respirators

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Sensation Disorders; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Musculoskeletal Pain

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Surgical Attire; Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; Equipment and Supplies; Respiratory Protective Devices; Personal Protective Equipment; Protective Devices; Surgical Equipment; Manufactured Materials; Technology, Industry, and Agriculture

Study Officials

• sevim çelik, Professor

  Bartin University Health Science Faculty

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Hilal Çetin Baltutar, Nurse

CONTACT

+905336087874; hilalcetinbaltutar@gmail.com

Sevim Çelik, Proffessor

CONTACT

+905327832989; scelik@bartin.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Outcome assessment and data analysis were conducted by an independent assessor blinded to the type of mask used.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Nurse

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 31, 2025
• First Posted: February 12, 2026
• Study Start: September 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 15, 2025
• Study Completion: February 28, 2026
• Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)