title: Thermal properties of operative endoscopes used in otorhinolaryngology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the thermal properties of operative endoscopes used in otorhinolaryngological practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of endoscopes of varying diameters and angulations were attached to a light source and temperature measurements taken of their shaft and tip; a measurement was also taken 5 mm in front of the endoscope tip.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Temperature changes took place rapidly. The amount of heat produced by the endoscopes was maximal at the tip, with larger diameter endoscopes attaining a higher temperature. Temperatures on the shaft and in front of the tip reached relatively constant temperatures independent of the type of endoscope. The maximum temperature achieved was 104.6 degrees C for the 4 mm, 0 degrees endoscope. Cooling occurred rapidly after the light source was switched off.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The heat produced by some endoscopes is sufficiently great to cause thermal injury to tissues. Awareness of the temperatures produced by these endoscopes should prompt clinicians to actively cool their endoscopes during a procedure, before any thermal injury is caused.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, UK. samuelmackeith@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: S A C
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: MacKeith
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frampton
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Pothier
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D019723:Endoscopes; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*