Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
Volume 18, Issue 2 , Pages 129-131, March 2006

Electrocautery-induced fire during adenotonsillectomy: report of two cases

  • Roland N. Kaddoum, MD (Fellow)

      Affiliations

    • Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
    • ,
  • Elie Joseph Chidiac, MD (Assistant Professor, Vice Chair, Associate Residency Program Director)

      Affiliations

    • Wayne State University/The Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Anesthesiology, Harper University Hospital, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Tel.: +1 313 745 7233; fax: +1 313 993 3889.
    • ,
  • Maria M. Zestos, MD (Assistant Professor, Chief)

      Affiliations

    • Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
    • ,
  • Zulfiqar Ahmed, MD (Attending Anesthesiologist)

      Affiliations

    • Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, USA

Received 28 June 2004; accepted 7 September 2005.

Abstract 

We describe two cases of flash fires in the oropharynx, secondary to electrocautery during adenotonsillectomies. We believe that in both cases, the leak around the uncuffed endotracheal tubes raised the oxygen concentration in the oropharynx. Cuffed endotracheal tubes provide many advantages, and their use should strongly be considered during adenotonsillectomy in children when electrocautery is to be used.

Keywords: Adenotonsillectomy, Electrocautery fire, Endotracheal tube cuff malfunction

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0952-8180(05)00346-6

doi:10.1016/j.jclinane.2005.09.032

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
Volume 18, Issue 2 , Pages 129-131, March 2006

Article Tools