One unavoidable by-product of the electrocauteries and lasers that have increased efficiency, convenience and patient safety in many surgical procedures is the smoke their use generates. Surgical smoke not only nauseates OR staff and irritates their eyes and respiratory systems, it also exposes them to potentially infectious and carcinogenic risks.

Buffalo Filter LapEvac (800) 343-2324 writeOutLink("www.buffalofilter.com",1) Price: not disclosed FYI: The world's first disposable smoke evacuator, LapEvac was designed for laparoscopic surgery, the company says. LapEvac keeps the surgeon's view clear, minimizes the amount of CO2 gas needed to keep the patient's cavity distended and helps to reduce the amount of plume by-products absorbed into the patient's system.

Geiger Medical Technologies Geiger Smoke Evacuator (800) 771-9577 writeOutLink("www.geigermedical.com",1) Price: $895 FYI: The Geiger Smoke Evacuator is designed to be the most cost-effective system available on the market, says the company. Its rugged design and quality construction ensure years of operation. Its particulate filtration is 99.999 percent at 0.2 micron and its odor absorption employs activated charcoal filters with approximately 60 minutes of use each.