[Airway fire, a serious complication during laryngeal laser surgery]

During laryngeal laser surgery a 74-year-old male experienced endotracheal tube cuff ignition. This caused severe damage to the trachea. Eventually the patient died after 26 days on the intensive care unit due to a underlying cause. Microlaryngeal and tracheobronchial surgery require a good level of cooperation between the anaesthesiologist and the ENT surgeon, especially when a laser is used. To reduce the risk of an airway fire occurring, a number of precautions can (and must) be taken. Completing a checklist before the laser is used can prove helpful in this respect.