Carbon dioxide laser induced airway fire during larynx surgery: case report

The precision intrinsic hemostatic properties of the laser have led to its wide use in modern clinical medicine especially in microscopic airway surgery. However, the intense heat generated by the high energy density of the surgical laser can convert combustible tubes into veritable torches, cause catastrophic fires, and result in severe injury to the patient. This is of particular importance when high energy is used on the continuous mode or when the endotracheal tube is repeatedly hit by the laser at the same spot. Most reported laser-induced complications result from the laser beam inadvertently falling on the areas that are not intended to be exposed. We report a case of a trans-tracheostomy tube fire occurring during carbon dioxide (CO2) laser surgery. Aluminum-tape wrapping did not prevent this complication. It was found that the ignition of a trans-tracheostomy tube was caused by the laser striking an unprotected portion of the tube during resection of granuloma of the trachea.