Cytogenetic analysis in peripheral lymphocytes of operating room personnel

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work is to study the association between occupational exposure to anesthetic gases and the presence of chromosomal damage as measured by chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges [SCEs]. Twenty personnel [12 anesthesiologists and 8 nurses] were chosen from Ain Shams Speicalized Hospital. Cases were matched by age and sex with 16 controls; 10 of them were working as clerks at the same hospital and 6 were outside the hospital environment. Lymhocytic cultures were set up to and harvested at 48 hrs and 72 hrs for chromosomal aberrations and SCEs respectively. Halothane and Nitrous oxide were below the Maximum Allowable Concentration [MAC] levels. The percentage of chromosomal aberrations among exposed group was 2.2% compared to 1.2% among controls, [P < 0.05]. on excluding gaps the difference became insignificant. Also no difference was observed between inside and outside the hospital control groups. However, the frequency of chromosome type aberration was elevated among exposed group compared to control. Regarding SCEs, no statistical difference was proved, though the exposed smokers showed the highest value. These results suggest that more studies need to be conducted to evaluate health risk among personnel exposed to anesthetic gases