title: Intraoperative flash fires associated with disposable cautery.
abstract: Three cases of intraoperative flash fires associated with the use of disposable thermal cautery units are described. As opposed to similar reports in the literature, two of the three cases were not associated with an elevated oxygen concentration at the operative site. Precautions in the use of these units or the use of mono- or bipolar cautery units are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chestler
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Lemke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002425:Cautery / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000601:surgery; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000209:etiology*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007636:Keratoacanthoma / Q000601:surgery; D009873:Operating Rooms