title: Surgical site fire: a case of evil spirit or lapsed communication?
abstract: Electrocautery has become an indispensable tool in the operating room mainly to achieve bloodless surgical field. However, it does carry several risks including fire burn. Abundant fuels and oxidizer in operation theatre in the presence of electrocautery can easily get ignited, imposing serious risk to the patient and health professionals. This report of a case of surgical site burn injury due to unintentional reuse of a spirit soaked gauze piece intends to create awareness among health professionals and staff regarding such serious complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, BP KIHS, Dhran, Nepal. drsindhukhatiwada@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khatiwada
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bhattarai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chettri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dhital
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Rahman
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009873:Operating Rooms; D017592:Skin Care; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000431:Ethanol