Brian T McMullin1, Joel H Blumin, Albert L Merati. 1. Division of Laryngology and Professional Voice, Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226-3522, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To understand risk and possible mechanisms of thermal injury to the tongue during suspension laryngoscopy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Tongue injury was noted following suspension laryngoscopy in a cluster of cases; the findings raised suspicion for thermal injury. To characterize the potential for thermal injury, a lighted laryngoscope was placed in contact with samples of tongue. Tissue heating was recorded over time at fixed distances from the light carrier within a laryngoscope. Comparisons were made between two light sources and carriers. RESULTS: Maximal tissue heating using a newer-model light source and new carrier was 16.7 degrees F immediately beneath the light carrier tip and 19.8 degrees F at 1 cm distal to the carrier tip. Other combinations of an older source and carriers failed to raise temperatures. Heating up to 10.7 degrees F occurred with the new source and an older carrier. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: Tissue heating may occur from contact with operative laryngoscopes. This is an important patient safety issue in laryngology.
OBJECTIVE: To understand risk and possible mechanisms of thermal injury to the tongue during suspension laryngoscopy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:Tongue injury was noted following suspension laryngoscopy in a cluster of cases; the findings raised suspicion for thermal injury. To characterize the potential for thermal injury, a lighted laryngoscope was placed in contact with samples of tongue. Tissue heating was recorded over time at fixed distances from the light carrier within a laryngoscope. Comparisons were made between two light sources and carriers. RESULTS: Maximal tissue heating using a newer-model light source and new carrier was 16.7 degrees F immediately beneath the light carrier tip and 19.8 degrees F at 1 cm distal to the carrier tip. Other combinations of an older source and carriers failed to raise temperatures. Heating up to 10.7 degrees F occurred with the new source and an older carrier. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: Tissue heating may occur from contact with operative laryngoscopes. This is an important patient safety issue in laryngology.
Authors: Tomasz Lyson; Andrzej Sieskiewicz; Andrzej Sobolewski; Robert Rutkowski; Jan Kochanowicz; Grzegorz Turek; Anna Baclawska; Jacek Krajewski; Marek Rogowski; Zenon Mariak Journal: Acta Neurochir (Wien) Date: 2013-03-15 Impact factor: 2.216