<p>The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is one of the most widely used instruments for assessing burnout and conceptualizes the syndrome through three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishment, and depersonalization. Depersonalization refers to a cynical or detached attitude toward clients, characterized by treating them in an impersonal or object-like manner. This dimension may be particularly problematic when applied to professionals working in operating rooms, both because of its ethical implications and because it may be confounded with forms of adaptive emotional distancing required for effective performance in high-risk surgical settings. In the present study, 151 surgical instrument technicians from Argentina were assessed using the MBI. An exploratory factor analysis of the item responses revealed inconsistencies in the factor loadings of items corresponding to the depersonalization dimension. In contrast, when depersonalization items were removed, a two-factor model including emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment showed good fit, with factor loadings consistent with the original theoretical structure. In addition, regression analyses examining work-related predictors of burnout indicated that poor workplace climate was the only factor associated with higher emotional exhaustion and lower personal accomplishment. In this sample, the interpretation of the depersonalization dimension appeared to be less straightforward among operating room personnel. These findings highlight potential measurement challenges when applying depersonalization items of the Maslach Burnout Inventory in this occupational context. Moreover, workplace climate appears to be a key factor associated with work-related distress in this population.</p>