title: Surgical Fires and Operative Burns: Lessons Learned From a 33-Year Review of Medical Litigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to understand the setting and litigation outcomes of surgical fires and operative burns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Westlaw, an online legal research data-set, was utilized. Data were collected on patient, procedure, and case characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred thirty-nine cases were identified; 114 (82%) operative burns and 25 (18%) surgical fires. Median plaintiff (patient) age was 46 (IQR:28-59). Most common site of operative burn was the face (26% [n = 36]). Most common source of injury was a high energy device (43% [n = 52]). Death was reported in 2 (1.4%) cases. Plaintiff age <18 vs age 18-50 and mention of a non-surgical physician as a defendant both were shown to be independently associated with an award payout (OR = 4.90 [95% CI, 1.23-25.45]; p = .02) and (OR = 4.50 [95% CI, 1.63-13.63]; p = .003) respectively. Plaintiff award payment (settlement or plaintiff verdict) was reported in 83 (60%) cases; median award payout was $215,000 (IQR: $82,000-$518,000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High energy devices remain as the most common cause of injury. Understanding and addressing pitfalls in operative care may mitigate errors and potentially lessen future liability.
  
  
  METHODS
  III.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
authors.forename: Asad J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Choudhry
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
authors.forename: Nadeem N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
authors.forename: Mohammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khasawneh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Cullinane
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States. Electronic address: zielinski.martin@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Martin D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Zielinski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology*; D035881:Compensation and Redress / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013523:Surgical Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Medical malpractice; Operative burns; Surgical fires; Westlaw