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Introduction The problem of theatre personnel being exposed to substances produced during electrosurgery has only recently started to be taken into consideration. This problem is particularly significant for personnel operating on patients with massive burns, since the optimal procedure for treating massive and deep burns is the early removal of tissue necrosis. For this purpose i.a. electrosurgery is used. The use of such instruments generates high temperature and increases exposure to harmful volatile agents in the smoke discharged from the tissues that are being removed. Aim of the study was qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of non-polar volatile compounds released during burned tissue excision using cutting diathermy. Materials and methods The study was conducted during resection of patient's burned tissue on the first day after the burn (30% TBSA, depth third degree). The analyzed compounds were being absorbed by solid state extraction, using SPME fibers. Exposure time of the fibers was 30 minutes and began with the start of the procedure. The fibers were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Results In our pilot studies which employed SPME technique to test surgical smoke composition, we have demonstrated the presence of several hundred of non-polar organic compounds. They were identified as simple aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as acid ester, hexane, acetone and complex organic derivatives of unknown toxicology. The analysis has also shown the presence of anesthetic gas - sevoflurane. Conclusions The current tests of electrosurgical smoke and fumes have been connected with the resection of healthy tissue. Our research, for the first time, shows the analysis of smoke resulting from the burned tissue resection. The majority of detected compounds has a potentially toxic effect and may constitute risk factors for the theatre personnel, that had not been previously taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]