Aerosol Box Decreases Aerosol Exposure only in Depressurized Rooms on Intubation and Extubation

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>The aim was<jats:bold> </jats:bold>to assess the effectiveness of an aerosol box objectively in several clinical settings with our experimental model.Cake flour as an aerosol model was expelled with our experimental cough model. The primary outcomes were the number of 0.3-10-µm-sized particles. Secondary outcomes were high-resolution videography of aerosol dispersal during intubation and extubation with an aerosol box in a pressurized or depressurized room.On post hoc analysis, counts of all particle sizes at the physician position, medical staff position, and in the environment were significantly lower in a depressurized room with an aerosol box than in a pressurized room without an aerosol box during intubation (p<0.05 in all situations and all particle sizes). Counts of all particle sizes at the physician and medical staff positions were significantly lower in the depressurized room with an aerosol box than in a pressurized room without an aerosol box during extubation (p<0.05 in both situations and all particle sizes). Visual assessments supported the results of the primary outcomes and showed that an aerosol box in a depressurized room could effectively decrease aerosol exposure of the physician, medical staff, and environment.In conclusion, an aerosol box decreased aerosol exposure only in a depressurized room.</jats:p>