Chemical composition of gases surgeons are exposed to during endoscopic urological resections.

Objectives: To identify any potentially harmful chemical constituents of the gaseous plume produced from urological endoscopic diathermy.

Methods: Chemical analysis was performed on the gaseous plume produced from prostatic resections and vaporizations using gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography using ultraviolet and visible light detection. In addition, carbon monoxide levels were analyzed using a portable catalytic flammable gas sensor.