TY - JOUR

T1 - Needle-free jet injection-induced small-droplet aerosol formation during intralesional bleomycin therapy

AU - Bik, Liora

AU - Wolkerstorfer, Albert

AU - Bekkers, Vazula

AU - Prens, Errol P.

AU - Haedersdal, Merete

AU - Bonn, Daniel

AU - van Doorn, Martijn B. A.

PY - 2022/4

Y1 - 2022/4

N2 - Objectives Needle-free jet injectors are frequently used in dermatological practice. Injection-generated small-droplet aerosols could be harmful upon inhalation when chemotherapeutics, like bleomycin, are used. Here, we aim to explore jet injector-induced small-droplet aerosol formation of bleomycin in relation to air ventilation and to provide safety measures for clinical practice. Materials and Methods With a professional particle sensor, we measured airborne aerosol particles (0.2-10.0 mu m) after electronic pneumatic injection (EPI), spring-loaded jet injection (SLI), and needle injection (NI) of bleomycin and saline (100 mu l) on ex vivo human skin. Three levels of air ventilation were explored: no ventilation, room ventilation, and room ventilation with an additional smoke evacuator. Results EPI and SLI induced significant small-droplet aerosol formation compared with none after NI (0.2-1.0 mu m; no ventilation). The largest bleomycin aerosol generation was observed for the smallest particles (0.2-1.0 mu m) with 673.170 (528.802-789.453) aerosol particles/liter air (EPI; no ventilation). Room ventilation and smoke evacuation led to a reduction of >= 99% and 100% of measured aerosols, respectively. Conclusion Jet injectors generate a high number of small-droplet aerosols, potentially introducing harmful effects to patients and healthcare personnel. Room ventilation and smoke evacuation are effective safety measures when chemotherapeutics are used in clinical practice.

AB - Objectives Needle-free jet injectors are frequently used in dermatological practice. Injection-generated small-droplet aerosols could be harmful upon inhalation when chemotherapeutics, like bleomycin, are used. Here, we aim to explore jet injector-induced small-droplet aerosol formation of bleomycin in relation to air ventilation and to provide safety measures for clinical practice. Materials and Methods With a professional particle sensor, we measured airborne aerosol particles (0.2-10.0 mu m) after electronic pneumatic injection (EPI), spring-loaded jet injection (SLI), and needle injection (NI) of bleomycin and saline (100 mu l) on ex vivo human skin. Three levels of air ventilation were explored: no ventilation, room ventilation, and room ventilation with an additional smoke evacuator. Results EPI and SLI induced significant small-droplet aerosol formation compared with none after NI (0.2-1.0 mu m; no ventilation). The largest bleomycin aerosol generation was observed for the smallest particles (0.2-1.0 mu m) with 673.170 (528.802-789.453) aerosol particles/liter air (EPI; no ventilation). Room ventilation and smoke evacuation led to a reduction of >= 99% and 100% of measured aerosols, respectively. Conclusion Jet injectors generate a high number of small-droplet aerosols, potentially introducing harmful effects to patients and healthcare personnel. Room ventilation and smoke evacuation are effective safety measures when chemotherapeutics are used in clinical practice.

KW - aerosol

KW - bleomycin

KW - chemotherapy

KW - dermatology

KW - droplet

KW - drug delivery

KW - injection

KW - jet injection

KW - pneumatic

KW - ventilation

KW - TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE

KW - ALOPECIA-AREATA

KW - DERMOJET

KW - SCARS

KW - ACID

KW - DRUG

U2 - 10.1002/lsm.23512

DO - 10.1002/lsm.23512

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34931319

VL - 54

SP - 572

EP - 579

JO - Lasers in Surgery and Medicine

JF - Lasers in Surgery and Medicine

SN - 0196-8092

IS - 4

ER -