Key result
Controlling oxidizers, ignition sources, and fuels reduces operating room fires during head and neck surgery.
Why the study?
Operating room fires pose a significant risk of harm to patients undergoing head and neck surgical procedures, necessitating investigation of risk factors and prevention strategies.
What are the risk factors and prevention strategies for operating room fires in head and neck surgery?
What are the risk factors and prevention strategies for operating room fires in head and neck surgery?
Operating room fires in head and neck surgery can be prevented by carefully controlling the 'fire triad' elements: oxidiser, ignition source, and fuel.
Supports fire triad control in head and neck surgery; leaves open need for prospective validation.
Operating room fires pose a significant risk of harm to surgical patients, particularly in head and neck surgical procedures. Surgical fires occur when three essential elements are present (the so-called ‘fire triad’): an ignition source, a fuel, and an oxidising agent. The authors have performed a number of research trials investigating the risk factors involved in the development of fires during endoscopic, oropharyngeal, and airway surgeries. This review explores the results of those studies and examines the risk factors for operating room fire with an emphasis on prevention. Careful control of the oxidiser, ignition source, and attention to potential fuels in the operating room can significantly reduce the risk of operating room fire formation and improve patient safety.
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Smith et al. (2014) conducted a review in Operating room fires in head and neck surgery. Control of oxidiser, ignition source, and potential fuels was evaluated on Operating room fire formation. Careful control of the oxidiser, ignition source, and potential fuels can significantly reduce the risk of operating room fires during head and neck surgery.
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