Noise Exposure During Minimally Invasive Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Laser Surgery Procedures

Objective: To monitor the occupational noise exposure during minimally invasive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) laser surgery procedures in the operating room. Methods: : A wireless noise level meter was used to monitor the noise exposure to the surgeon and patients during different BPH laser surgery procedures. The sound level were recorded during 180-W Photoselective vaporization of the prostate surgery (Realton Co., Beijing,China ), 100-W Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HoLEP, VersaPulse Power-Suite, Lumenis Ltd),90-W HoLEP (Dahua Laser Co., Jiangsu, China) and 60-W HoLEP (VersaPulse Power-Suite, Lumenis Ltd). Maximum peak level and time-average decibel level were measured. State Anxiety Inventory (S-AI) scores of 37 surgeons from 5 hospitals after an 8-h working day for different laser surgery were recoreded. Results: : The mean background sound levels in the operation room prior to laser surgery was 48dB within a range of 40~54 dB. A maximum sound level of 91 dB was recorded at level of surgeon’ head during the working of 100-W HoLEP machine, while the mean decibel level was 85dB. Use of the 90-W HoLEP machines achieved the lowest mean decibel level (66 dB) recording both at level of surgeon’s and patient’s head. The sounds during 180-W PVP ranged from 60~77 dB at level of surgeon’s head and 60~75dB at patients’s head. The State Anxiety score was significantly higher in the 100-W HoLEP group compared with other groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: : Our data showed the noise exposure during minimally invasive benign prostatic hyperplasia procedures. A modified cooling system in 90-W HoLEP machine could effectively reduce the noised emitted by the laser generator. Surgeons may experience uncomfortable and anxiety after an 8h working day for HoLEP. Music and noised-induced headphones may help to reduce negative emotion.