Catching Fire: Are Operating Room Fires a Concern in Orthopedics?

Area of Science:

• Surgical Safety
• Biomedical Engineering
• Healthcare Risk Management

Background:

• Operating room (OR) fires are serious adverse events, with an estimated 650 occurring annually in the US.
• Limited data exists on fires specifically within orthopedic surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and characteristics of fires during orthopedic procedures.
• To understand surgeons' perspectives on OR fire risks and prevention.

Main Methods:

• A 25-question survey was distributed to 617 orthopedic surgeons across 18 institutions.
• 172 surgeons completed the survey, yielding a 28% response rate.
• The survey covered witnessed surgical fires, hospital policies, and surgeon awareness.

Main Results:

• 12 out of 172 surgeons reported witnessing surgical fires.
• Electrocautery was the primary ignition source (7 events); bone cement and gauze were common fuel sources.
• No patient harm was reported; however, 47.7% of respondents lacked formal fire prevention training.

Conclusions:

• Fires present a significant risk in orthopedic surgery due to available ignition sources, fuels, and oxygen.
• Enhanced operating room personnel education and surgeon awareness of fire components are crucial for prevention.
• Proactive fire prevention strategies are essential in all surgical settings.