title: Monopolar electrosurgical flash fire.
abstract: A 78-year-old man underwent ectropion repair with a monopolar electrosurgical unit. A flash fire occurred, resulting in a loss of eyelashes of the left upper and lower eyelids. A retrospective analysis of the case was conducted, including a review of the relevant literature. Although rare, the possibility of a flash fire should be considered when performing surgery with an electrosurgical unit. Minimizing supplemental oxygen and electrosurgical power settings may help to avoid such an incident.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53792-3220, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lucarelli
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Lemke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004483:Ectropion / Q000601:surgery; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male