A patient with intraoral fire during tonsillectomy

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Safety
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Perioperative fires in the oropharynx are rare but serious complications.
• Electrosurgery is a common cause of intraoral fires during procedures like tonsillectomy.
• These incidents pose risks to both patients and surgical teams.

Observation:

• A case of a flash fire in the oropharynx during a pediatric tonsillectomy using electrosurgery is presented.
• The fire occurred secondary to the electrosurgical device.
• The operation was interrupted due to the fire incident.

Findings:

• The young child sustained intraoral burn injuries.
• Despite the fire, the patient demonstrated a remarkable recovery within one week.
• The interrupted tonsillectomy was successfully completed without further complications.

Implications:

• This case underscores the critical need for awareness and stringent preventative measures against electrosurgical fires in the oropharynx.
• Understanding fire hazard scenarios is crucial for surgical teams.
• Implementing effective prevention strategies can mitigate risks associated with intraoral electrosurgery.