Prevention of CO2 laser-induced endotracheal tube fires with the laser-guard protective coating.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how well Laser-Guard protects polyvinyl chloride (PVC) endotracheal tubes from the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.


METHODS
Bare and Laser-Guard-protected PVC endotracheal tubes were tested with 5 L/min of oxygen (O2) passing through them.


METHODS
Research laboratory of a university-affiliated metropolitan medical center.


METHODS
After moistening the Laser-Guard-protected endotracheal tubes, we subjected the tubes to CO2 laser radiation at 10 and 70 watts until combustion occurred or 60 seconds had elapsed.


RESULTS
The bare PVC tube ignited and a "blowtorch" fire occurred after 3 seconds of CO2 laser use at 70 watts. The moistened Laser-Guard-protected PVC endotracheal tubes were not significantly damaged by 1 minute of laser use at 70 watts.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser-Guard protects the shafts of combustible PVC endotracheal tubes from direct, high-power, continuous CO2 laser radiation.
Sosis
M B
MB
Department of Anesthesiology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
Dillon
F
F
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D011482:Protective Devices; D013499:Surface Properties
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride