An apparatus for sensing during medical procedures, the apparatus comprising: (a) an electrosurgical device, having a cutting blade, a user interface, a vacuum tube and at least one of a visual and an audible warning indicator, wherein the at least one of the visual and the audible warning indicator is operable to notify a user in response to sensed gases; (b) a control unit comprising a user interface, a power unit, a motor, a warning element, a processor, and a memory including computer program instructions, the user interface being operable to select between an on or off setting for the apparatus, and the power unit operable to connect with a power source; (c) a sensor located on at least one of the electrosurgical device and the control unit, the sensor being operable to sense a presence of gases; and (d) a conduit comprising the vacuum tube and a communication line fluidly coupled to the electrosurgical device and the control unit, the communication line operable to transmit electronic signals between the electrosurgical device, the control unit and the sensor, wherein the power unit is operable to provide power to the electrosurgical device, the control unit and the sensor; wherein the motor is operable to urge a fluid to pass from the surgical device through the conduit to the control unit, and the control unit is operable to remove smoke and debris from a surgical site relative to the surgical device; wherein the sensor is operable to transmit sensor data to the control unit through the conduit; and wherein the control unit is operable to trigger (i) the at least one of the visual and the audible warning indicator, and (ii) the warning element in response to gases detected by the sensor. (a) an electrosurgical device, having a cutting blade, a user interface, a vacuum tube and at least one of a visual and an audible warning indicator, wherein the at least one of the visual and the audible warning indicator is operable to notify a user in response to sensed gases; (b) a control unit comprising a user interface, a power unit, a motor, a warning element, a processor, and a memory including computer program instructions, the user interface being operable to select between an on or off setting for the apparatus, and the power unit operable to connect with a power source; (c) a sensor located on at least one of the electrosurgical device and the control unit, the sensor being operable to sense a presence of gases; and (d) a conduit comprising the vacuum tube and a communication line fluidly coupled to the electrosurgical device and the control unit, the communication line operable to transmit electronic signals between the electrosurgical device, the control unit and the sensor, wherein the power unit is operable to provide power to the electrosurgical device, the control unit and the sensor; wherein the motor is operable to urge a fluid to pass from the surgical device through the conduit to the control unit, and the control unit is operable to remove smoke and debris from a surgical site relative to the surgical device; wherein the sensor is operable to transmit sensor data to the control unit through the conduit; and wherein the control unit is operable to trigger (i) the at least one of the visual and the audible warning indicator, and (ii) the warning element in response to gases detected by the sensor.