title: The effect of intraoral suction on oxygen-enriched surgical environments: a mechanism for reducing the risk of surgical fires.
abstract: In this study, a mechanical model was applied in order to replicate potential surgical fire conditions in an oxygen-enriched environment with and without high-volume suction typical for dental surgical applications. During 41 trials, 3 combustion events were measured: an audible pop, a visible flash of light, and full ignition. In at least 11 of 21 trials without suction, all 3 conditions were observed, sometimes with an extent of fire that required early termination of the experimental trial. By contrast, in 18 of 20 with-suction trials, ignition did not occur at all, and in the 2 cases where ignition did occur, the fire was qualitatively a much smaller, candle-like flame. Statistically comparing these 3 combustion events in the no-suction versus with-suction trials, ignition (P = .0005), audible pop (P = .0211), and flash (P = .0092) were all significantly more likely in the no-suction condition. These results suggest a possible significant and new element to be added to existing surgical fire safety protocols toward making surgical fires the "never-events" they should be.
authors.affiliation: Resident in Pediatric Dentistry, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: VanCleave
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: McGlothlin
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Saxen
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: LaQuia A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Vinson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D003770:Dental Offices; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control*; D023421:Models, Animal; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010100:Oxygen; D012308:Risk Management; D017751:Safety Management; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: High-volume suction.; Oxygen-enriched environments; Surgical fires