Flame burns during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A hidden danger of diathermy?

Medicolegal aspects of surgical diathermy burns: A case report and review of the literature

“…For safe return of the electrical current to the main unit, it is essential to properly place the conductive jelly coated neutral plates against areas of clean (shaved if it is necessary), dry skin to ensure uniform and large surface contact [11,12]. If the patient is not properly grounded, the current may also seek other grounding points, such as electrocardiogram leads, causing burns at remote sites [3].…”

“…In association with the leakage of diathermy devices and the presence of flammable substances, oxygen, nitrous oxide and sources of ignition are fire prone and may result in explosions. The use of alcohol-based prepping solutions and non-absorbent drapes in most fields, permit pooling of flammable liquids that also could be ignited by the leakage [11].…”

“…To avoid electrosurgical complications, the safety precautions include the tips given by Table 1 as recommended by Jones et al and Vijayaraghaven et al [11,12]. [11,12].…”

“…As described thus far, electrical burns constitute the most common electric accident in the operating room; trivial or superficial burns can occur and may often be overlooked, but most of these burns are deep and burns are rarely detected intraoperatively [11]. Jones et al suggested that one must keep in mind that the depth of penetration of thermal energy goes beyond that seen by the naked eye; therefore, unrecognized injuries can present later, after progression of the damaged tissue [12].…”