Surgical Fires and Alcohol-based Skin Preparations

Overview

Journal ANZ J Surg

Specialties General Medicine
General Surgery

Date 2004 May 18

PMID 15144262

Citations 12

Authors

Rebecca Tooher

Guy J Maddern

John Simpson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Alcohol-based skin preparations are known to be flammable. Their use continues despite a significant level of risk. Two cases of fires resulting from ignition of pooled alcohol-based skin preparations are reported. Both cases were associated with use of electrocautery for haemostasis. The literature is reviewed and recommendations are made to reduce the risk of further similar occurrences.

Citing Articles

Incidence of Operating Room Fires During Hand Surgical Procedures.

Lutsky K, Schindelar L, Seigerman D, Jones C, Katt B, Beredjiklian P Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2022; 10(1):56-59.

PMID: 35291235 PMC: 8889418. DOI: 10.22038/ABJS.2021.47850.2382.

An unprecedented increase in burn injuries due to alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Dahmardehei M, Rezaiyan M, Safarnejad F, Ahmadabadi A Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2021; 35:107.

PMID: 34956953 PMC: 8683801. DOI: 10.47176/mjiri.35.107.

Preventing complications in dermatologic surgery: Presurgical concerns.

Strickler A, Shah P, Bajaj S, Mizuguchi R, Nijhawan R, Odueyungbo M J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021; 84(4):883-892.

PMID: 33497750 PMC: 9491024. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.10.099.

Prevention of and response to surgical fires.

Cowles Jr C, Culp Jr W BJA Educ. 2021; 19(8):261-266.

PMID: 33456900 PMC: 7807838. DOI: 10.1016/j.bjae.2019.03.007.

Evaluating the utility of a CO2 surgical laser for piglet castration to reduce pain and improve wound healing: a pilot study.

Viscardi A, Cull C, Kleinhenz M, Montgomery S, Curtis A, Lechtenberg K J Anim Sci. 2020; 98(11).

PMID: 33011759 PMC: 7660141. DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa320.