Flash Fire Kills Patient on Operating Table

I've stopped several browning, slightly smoking spots on paper drapes from going any farther by calling everyone's attention to it immediately and handing over a wet sponge. Those particular smoldering spots were caused by laparascopic light cables being turned up all the way, and either simply laid down on the drape or while changing scopes over and the light shining on the drape starts the smoldering. Fortunately, there were NO issues for the patients.

There is a training film that is shown to OR staff, about controlling fires in the OR. Quite frankly, in the event that a real fire starts, it takes close to milliseconds for the drapes to go up in flames, as well as the patient and sheets. Too much O2 from anesthesia, possible fumes from a wet alcohol based prep and a bovie spark is all it takes.
I've seen the film probably 5 times over my OR career and it always scares everyone.

I haven't seen a real fire in the OR- THANK GOD! and hope I never do.

During laser work, there are always wet towels and basins of water on the back table, and the patient's face/head is swaddled in a thoroughly dampened towel. Most of the laser work I see is in the airway. However, the same is true no matter where laser work is done. When airway lasering takes place, the anesthesia crew and the surgeon make absolutely clear that the O2 is turned off for that portion of the case, As you can imagine, lasers around the airway tend to take time; off for a bit of laser, back on for oxygenation, etc.

It happens very rarely, but it does indeed happen. It's always a horribe outcome for everyone, no matter how much or little the patient is injured.

forgive the typos, goodnight.

I heard that this happened at the hospital I work at. It never made the news or anything though. The patient didn't die, thank God, but I still think they got burned pretty good. This resulted in a hospital wide audit that lasted months. They said it happened when they were using cauttery. Sucky.

never thought this would actually hapen so sad

I thought this kind of thing only happened in House episodes...

Though it doesn't surprise me given the high levels of Oxygen in use with flammable liquids; all it takes is a little spark.

My local news covered the story and said the fire started from the use of a laser......but gave no further details really. I definately wonder what sort of surgery it was?

considering I've had four surgeries this year alone, that's pretty frightening!

I'm guessing it was airway surgery. This is always a potential problem in these types of procedures.