Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
08:26
The Rigid Tube as an Alternative in Controlling the Problematic Airway
Published on: June 6, 2020
6.3K
Does the TruBlue Laser Set Microlaryngoscopy Equipment on Fire? A Systematic Evaluation
Ariel Roitman1,2, Tadeas Lunga1, Anumitha Venkatraman1
1Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|December 6, 2024
Summary
The TruBlue laser poses fire risks with certain surgical supplies. The Microlaryngeal Tube (MLT) is highly ignitable, while Medtronic™ tubes are safer. Surgeons should maintain distance and use water-soaked pledgets to mitigate risks.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Safety
- Laser Technology
Background:
- Laser microlaryngoscopy carries known fire risks.
- Limited data exists on the fire risk associated with the novel TruBlue laser.
- This study addresses the safety of the TruBlue laser with surgical materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the fire, smoke, and perforation risks of the TruBlue laser with common surgical supplies.
- To compare the safety profiles of different endotracheal tubes and surgical pledgets when exposed to the TruBlue laser.
- To provide data-driven recommendations for mitigating laser-related fire hazards during microlaryngoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Experimental testing of TruBlue laser interactions with Rüsch®, Medtronic™, and microlaryngeal endotracheal tubes (MLTs) and surgical pledgets.
- Assessment of smoke production, tube perforation, and fire ignition under controlled conditions.
- Analysis of factors influencing risk, including laser fiber contact, laser mode, and pledget characteristics.
Main Results:
- The MLT ignited when the laser fiber contacted its surface; other tubes showed lower ignition risk.
- Smoke was generated from the laser fiber on the Medtronic™ tube in continuous mode.
- Rüsch® tubes experienced cuff perforation and smoke from the shaft in most trials.
- Pledget radiopaque segments were more combustible; shorter laser distances increased smoke emission.
- Water-soaked pledgets reduced smoke production and string division.
Conclusions:
- Medtronic™ tubes offer high safety due to non-ignitable shafts and low cuff ignition risk.
- The MLT presents the highest ignition risk among tested tubes.
- Maintaining a 0.3-cm distance from the laser fiber tip minimizes cuff perforation risk.
- Mitigating pledget fire risk involves positioning the radiopaque segment away from the laser and using water-soaked pledgets.
- Laser division of pledget strings is a common occurrence.
