Noise in the Operating Room

MODERN surgery discovered the dangers of air pollution and water pollution about a century ago and, as a result, has practiced aseptic, antipollution technics since. However, in our pollution-aware age, surgery has fallen behind in its recognition of what has been called "The Third Pollution." This is noise, defined as unwanted, noxious, or harmful sound.We surveyed noise levels and noise sources in a typical operating room during a common procedure. The room was one in the Surgical Suite at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, built in the early 1960's. The procedure was a combination cholecystectomy and tubal . . .