Factors influencing air distribution effect in clean operating rooms: A comprehensive review

China has a vast and widespread hospital construction scale, with the highest number of patients seeking medical care in the world. As a result, the air purification technology in medical clean operating rooms is developing rapidly. The air distribution in operating rooms is an important aspect of their air purification technology and has been a subject of ongoing debate regarding its relationship with surgical site infections. This article provides a comprehensive review of the various forms of air distribution in operating rooms. Researches indicate that the laminar ventilation and the temperature-controlled airflow ventilation have advantages in removing particles carrying bacteria, with laminar ventilation demonstrating stronger control over droplets. This article also examines the impact of factors such as the number and positioning of personnel in the operating room, the movements and walking of personnel, the quantity and heat generation of medical equipment, personnel attire, and the number of surgeries on the effectiveness of air distribution. It identifies that the movements and walking of surgical personnel are key research areas, and the connection between air distribution and the thermal comfort of surgical personnel and patients warrants further investigation. Future research directions include quantifying the relationship between local air distribution in the operating room and air quality in the surgical microenvironment, exploring new forms of air distribution and terminal devices, and considering personalized ventilation and the thermal comfort of surgical personnel.