Baseline Study of Ultra-Clean Air Change Rate, Number, and Type of Microorganisms and Level of Particles During Trauma Surgery.

The objective of an operating room (OR) ultra-clean ventilation system is to eliminate or reduce the quantity of dust particles and colony-forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m). To achieve this, ultra-clean goal high air change rates per hour are required to reduce the particle load and number of CFU/m. To determine the air quality in an ultra-clean OR during surgery, in terms of the number and type of microorganism and quantity of dust particles in order to establish a benchmark.

Dosimetric benefits and preclinical performance of steerable needles in HDR prostate brachytherapy.

Prostate cancer patients with an enlarged prostate and/or excessive pubic arch interference (PAI) are generally considered non-eligible for high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT). Steerable needles have been developed to make these patients eligible again. This study aims to validate the dosimetric impact and performance of steerable needles within the conventional clinical setting.

What is the effect of reducing the air change rate on the ventilation effectiveness in ultra-clean operating rooms?

Background: The operating room (OR) department is one of the most energy-intensive departments of a hospital. The majority of ORs in the Netherlands have an air-handling installation with an ultra-clean ventilation system. However, not all surgeries require an ultra-clean OR.

Changes in needle maneuver space and optimal insertion site for midline neuraxial puncture with progressive age: an analysis in computed tomography scans.

Introduction: We systematically describe the morphology and accessibility of interspinous spaces across age groups of patients. Our primary goal was to objectively estimate if the maneuver space for a virtual spinal needle changes with age. Our secondary goal was to estimate if the optimal site and angle for midline neuraxial puncture change with age.