Thermal injury to the tongue from an operative laryngoscope.
OBJECTIVE
To understand risk and possible mechanisms of thermal injury to the tongue during suspension laryngoscopy.


METHODS
Tongue injury was noted following suspension laryngoscopy in a cluster of cases; the findings raised suspicion for thermal injury. To characterize the potential for thermal injury, a lighted laryngoscope was placed in contact with samples of tongue. Tissue heating was recorded over time at fixed distances from the light carrier within a laryngoscope. Comparisons were made between two light sources and carriers.


RESULTS
Maximal tissue heating using a newer-model light source and new carrier was 16.7 degrees F immediately beneath the light carrier tip and 19.8 degrees F at 1 cm distal to the carrier tip. Other combinations of an older source and carriers failed to raise temperatures. Heating up to 10.7 degrees F occurred with the new source and an older carrier.


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue heating may occur from contact with operative laryngoscopes. This is an important patient safety issue in laryngology.
McMullin
Brian T
BT
Division of Laryngology and Professional Voice, Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226-3522, USA.
Blumin
Joel H
JH
Merati
Albert L
AL
D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D020704:Laryngoscopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries*