title: Fires during surgery: two fatal incidents in Los Angeles.
abstract: This article examines the problem of fires during surgery as caused by high energy electrosurgical units in proximity to highly combustible surgical boundary drapes. Specifically examined are two recent fires in Los Angeles.
authors.affiliation: Alisa Ann Ruch California Burn Foundation, Canoga Park 91303.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stouffer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D015141:Los Angeles; D009873:Operating Rooms; D012449:Safety; D013523:Surgical Equipment; D013525:Surgical Instruments