Burn during a routine pterygium excision operation.
OBJECTIVE
To report a patient who sustained a spark fire burn during a routine pterygium operation.


METHODS
A 40-year-old woman was referred for pterygium excision in her left eye. During the operation a low temperature cautery caused a spark fire that resulted in left eye corneal burn, upper and lower eyelid burns, and melting of eyelashes and eyebrows bilaterally.


RESULTS
Topical antibiotics and vitamin C followed by topical corticosteroids were given. After 1 week the corneal epithelium healed but a paracentral corneal opacity developed. Two months later on last follow-up visit, a mild diffuse corneal opacity was still seen. The combination of three elements found in most routine (ophthalmologic) surgical fields-an enriched oxygen environment with the high temperature transmitted by the electrocautery in the vicinity of hair-might explain the event.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgeons should try to separate these three elements or eliminate any of them, in order to minimize or prevent such events.
Naftali
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Pade Hospital, Poria, Israel. naftalim@012.net.il
Jabaly-Habib
H
H
Mukari
A
A
D000328:Adult; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000209:etiology*; D005138:Eyebrows; D005140:Eyelashes; D005143:Eyelids / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen; D011625:Pterygium / Q000601:surgery*
D010100:Oxygen