title: Evaluation of Ignition and Burn Risk Associated with Contemporary Fiberoptic and Distal Sensor Endoscopic Technology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the ignition and burn risk associated with contemporary fiberoptic and distal sensor endoscopic technologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used new and used SCB Xenon 300 light sources to illuminate a 4.8 mm fiberoptic cable, 10 mm laparoscope, 5 mm laparoscope, rigid cystoscope, semirigid ureteroscope, flexible cystoscope, flexible fiberoptic ureteroscope, distal sensor cystoscope, and a distal sensor ureteroscope (Karl Storz, Inc., Tuttlingen, Germany). We measured peak temperatures at the distal end of each device. We then evaluated each device on a flat and folded surgical drape to establish ignition risk. Finally, we evaluated the effects of all devices on human cadaver skin covered by surgical drape.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peak temperatures recorded for each device ranged from 26.9°C (flexible fiberoptic ureteroscope) to 194.5°C (fiberoptic cable). Drape ignition was noted when the fiberoptic cable was placed against a fold of drape. Contact with the fiberoptic cable, 10 mm laparoscope, 5 mm laparoscope, and distal sensor cystoscope resulted in cadaver skin damage. Cadaver skin damage occurred despite little or no visible change to the surgical drape. Rigid and flexible fiberoptic cystoscopes and flexible fiberoptic ureteroscopes had no effect on surgical drapes or cadaver skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fiberoptic light cables and some endoscopic devices have the potential to cause thermal injury and drape ignition. Thermal injury may occur without visible damage to drapes. Surgeons should remain vigilant regarding the risks associated with these devices and take necessary safety precautions to prevent patient injury.
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Kyle
authors: K
authors: Spradling
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Brittany
authors: B
authors: Uribe
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Zhamshid
authors: Z
authors: Okhunov
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Hofmann
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Del Junco
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Hwang
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Caden
authors: C
authors: Gruber
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Ramy F
authors: RF
authors: Youssef
authors: Department of Urology, University of California , Irvine, Orange, California.
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: Landman
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002102:Cadaver; D020684:Cystoscopes; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D055100:Optical Fibers; D061214:Patient Safety; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013696:Temperature; D020709:Ureteroscopes