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Incidence of Operating Room Fires During Hand Surgical Procedures
Kevin Lutsky1, Lili Schindelar2, Daniel Seigerman1
1Rothman Orthopedics, Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery 925 Chestnut Street, 5 Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
|March 16, 2022
Summary
Operating room fires during hand surgery are extremely rare, with no incidents reported in this study of nearly 19,000 procedures. Surgeons should remain vigilant to prevent potential fires.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Surgical Safety
- Fire Prevention
Background:
- Operating room fires pose a risk during surgical procedures.
- Hand surgery involves specific risks due to the use of electrocautery and preparation solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of operating room fires during hand surgical procedures.
- To assess the safety of current practices in hand surgery regarding fire risk.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of electronic medical records for hand and upper extremity procedures.
- Data collected from seven fellowship-trained orthopedic hand surgeons over a five-year period.
- Inclusion of procedures performed in both hospital and surgery center settings.
Main Results:
- A total of 18,819 procedures were analyzed.
- No operating room fires were identified during the study period (0% incidence).
- Various antiseptic solutions and electrocautery types were used across the procedures.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of operating room fires in hand surgery is exceptionally low.
- While the risk is minimal, continued vigilance and adherence to safety protocols are essential.
- Surgeons can be reassured by the low incidence but should not become complacent.
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