Titre du document / Document title

Do anaesthetists need to wear surgical masks in the operating theatre? A literature review with evidence-based recommendations

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

SKINNER M. W. ⁽¹⁾ ; SUTTON B. A. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Anaesthesia, North West Regional Hospital, Burnie, Tasmania, AUSTRALIE

Résumé / Abstract

Many operating theatre staff believe that the surgical face mask protects the healthcare worker from potentially hazardous biological infections. A questionnaire-based survey, undertaken by Leyland¹ in 1993 to assess attitudes to the use of masks, showed that 20% of surgeons discarded surgical masks for endoscopic work. Less than 50% did not wear the mask as recommended by the Medical Research Council. Equal numbers of surgeons wore the mask in the belief they were protecting themselves and the patient, with 20% of these admitting that tradition was the only reason for wearing them. Policies relating to the wearing of surgical masks by operating theatre staff are varied. This indicates some confusion about the role of the surgical mask in modern surgical and anaesthetic practice. This review was undertaken to collate current evidence and make recommendations based on this evidence.

Revue / Journal Title

Anaesthesia and intensive care   ISSN 0310-057X   CODEN AINCBS 

Source / Source

2001, vol. 29, n^o4, pp. 331-338 (41 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Edgecliff, AUSTRALIE  (1972) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Surgery ; Human ; Anesthesiologist ; Surgical mask ; Complication ; Postoperative ; Infection ; Prevention ; Review ; Recommendation ; Operating room ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Chirurgie ; Homme ; Anesthésiste ; Masque chirurgical ; Complication ; Postopératoire ; Infection ; Prévention ; Article synthèse ; Recommandation ; Bloc opératoire ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Cirugía ; Hombre ; Anestesista ; Máscara quirúrgica ; Complicación ; Postoperatorio ; Infección ; Prevención ; Artículo síntesis ; Recomendación ; Quirófano ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 17481, 35400009716771.0010