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NCT Number: NCT07404956

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Surgical Smoke Exposure Abdominal Pain Abdominal Pain (AP) Dispnea Dizziness Eye Allergies Fatigue Fatigue Symptom Headache Heart Rate Determination Muscle Aches Muscle Weakness | Patient Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal Pain Myalgia Nause and Vomiting Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Occupational Exposure to Surgical Smoke Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Sensation Disorders Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive SpO2 Vomiting

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Bartın State Hospital

Bartın, 74100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Aynur Parlatır, Supervizor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905054416782

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Surgical mask

Device

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

Other names: Medical Surgical Mask

N95 mask

Device

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

Other names: N95 Respirator

Primary outcomes

  1. 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

    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.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Hilal Çetin Baltutar, Nurse

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905336087874

Sevim Çelik, Proffessor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905327832989

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bartın Unıversity

Other

Collaborators

  • Bartin State Hospital

Registry information

Official study title

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF SURGICAL MASK AND N95 MASK USE ON PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF SURGICAL SMOKE IN OPERATING ROOM

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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