Computer modeling of the operating room ventilation performance in connection with surgical site infection

The primary source of surgical site infection is the deposition of flakes released from the exposed skin of surgical staff or the patient on the exposed surgical wound. In this study, a computational model for simulating airflow and thermal conditions in an operating room is developed, and transport and deposition of particulate contaminants near the wound are analyzed. The results show the formation of a thermal plume over the wound tissue, which is typically at a higher temperature than the surrounding. The thermal plume protects the wound from the deposition of contaminants. In addition, the computational model predicts an optimum value for the inlet air velocity that is mainly maintaining protective shielding effect of the wound thermal plume. The effects of particle size, surgical lights characteristics, and the presence of partitions on the optimum inlet air velocity are also studied. Based on the results, the formation of thermal plume over surgical lamps may easily disturb the airflow and impress the optimum inlet air velocity accordingly. Unfavorable obstruction effects of surgical lights can be reduced using well-designed luminaries. The present study provides a better understanding of airflow pattern and transport process in operating rooms equipped with UCV systems and may find application in designing more effective ventilation strategies. (C) 2020 Sharif University of Technology. All rights reserved.