title: Electrocution during anaesthesia.
abstract: Cardiac arrest due to electrocution occurred in a young obstetric patient undergoing laparotomy. The patient subsequently died despite initial resuscitation. The cause was traced to an inappropriate and faulty switch in the base of the operating table; the circuit was completed by the ECG monitor which was of the direct earth type.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D004559:Electric Wiring; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013523:Surgical Equipment / Q000592:standards