Third-degree burn from a grounding pad during arthroscopy.
We describe a healthy 59-year-old woman who sustained a third-degree burn from a grounding pad during shoulder arthroscopy. We wish to make surgeons aware of a rare complication associated with any arthroscopic procedure in which an electrocautery/grounding pad system is used. We detail the presentation, evaluation, treatment, and definitive care and review the possible causes of this complication and the mechanism by which an electrocautery/grounding pad system functions. Although this complication is not uncommon, we believe that this is the first case report describing a burn at the grounding pad site occurring during arthroscopy.
University of Buffalo Sports Medicine, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Samuel M
SM
Sanders
Stephanie
S
Krowka
Andrew
A
Giacobbe
Leslie J
LJ
Bisson
D001182:Arthroscopy; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002061:Bursa, Synovial / Q000601:surgery; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D013848:Thigh / Q000293:injuries*