Lee P Smith1, Soham Roy. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to systematically explore the fire and burn risk associated with fiberoptic cables and electrosurgical devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 300-W light source was connected to a standard gray fiberoptic light cable. The end of the cable was either rested atop or buried within a cotton towel or polypropylene drape in the presence or absence of 100% oxygen for up to 10 minutes. A monopolar electrosurgical device set at 1 W, 10 W, or 30 W was tested on a cotton towel or polypropylene drape for a period of 30 seconds. All trials were repeated. RESULTS: Resting the light cable on top of the cotton towel or polypropylene drape with or without oxygen produced no result. Burying the end of the cable within the drape produced a hole in the drape within 15 seconds both with and without oxygen. Burying the end of the cable within the cotton towel produced a yellow discoloration after 2 minutes both with and without oxygen. The monopolar electrosurgical device set at 30 W burned immediately through the polypropylene drape, producing a skin burn. All other trials with monopolar electrocautery produced no result. No flame or fire was produced in any trial. CONCLUSIONS: Fiberoptic cables and electrosurgical generators represent a serious burn risk for surgical patients, with operating room drapes and towels affording only limited protection. Otolaryngologists should be keenly aware of the risks that these devices represent because our specialty uses them frequently.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to systematically explore the fire and burn risk associated with fiberoptic cables and electrosurgical devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 300-W light source was connected to a standard gray fiberoptic light cable. The end of the cable was either rested atop or buried within a cotton towel or polypropylene drape in the presence or absence of 100% oxygen for up to 10 minutes. A monopolar electrosurgical device set at 1 W, 10 W, or 30 W was tested on a cotton towel or polypropylene drape for a period of 30 seconds. All trials were repeated. RESULTS: Resting the light cable on top of the cotton towel or polypropylene drape with or without oxygen produced no result. Burying the end of the cable within the drape produced a hole in the drape within 15 seconds both with and without oxygen. Burying the end of the cable within the cotton towel produced a yellow discoloration after 2 minutes both with and without oxygen. The monopolar electrosurgical device set at 30 W burned immediately through the polypropylene drape, producing a skin burn. All other trials with monopolar electrocautery produced no result. No flame or fire was produced in any trial. CONCLUSIONS: Fiberoptic cables and electrosurgical generators represent a serious burn risk for surgical patients, with operating room drapes and towels affording only limited protection. Otolaryngologists should be keenly aware of the risks that these devices represent because our specialty uses them frequently.
Authors: Randy R Sibbitt; Dennis J Palmer; Wilmer L Sibbitt; Arthur D Bankhurst Journal: Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol Date: 2010-11-06 Impact factor: 2.740
Authors: Esther Lee; Amir Elzomor; Sameh Boulos; Olivia Silva; Luke J Pasick; Daniel A Benito; Jane Tong; Philip Zapanta; Arjun S Joshi; Joseph F Goodman; Punam G Thakkar Journal: Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) Date: 2022-05-19