Fire Prevention and Safety During Surgical Procedures

Control Ignition Sources ::

ES pencil being put in holster

Electrosurgery

Use non-conductive safety holster
Use caution where GI gases / oxidizers can accumulate
Avoid metal-to-metal arcing
Activate only when tip is in view
Deactivate before tip leaves the surgical site
DO NOT activate close to sponges, surgical drapes, or flammable solutions

Always use a non-conductive safety holster when the active electrode is not in use. When un-holstered, the active electrode can easily be inadvertently activated which may result in a serious patient burn or fire. Also, an un-holstered electrode may fall off the sterile field. If an active electrode falls from the sterile field, remove it immediately. Electrodes dangling from a sterile field may be inadvertently activated, as previously discussed.

When using electrosurgery in or near the bowel, and in other areas where oxidizers can accumulate such as the chest and oral cavity, great caution must be exercised. As previously discussed, bowel gases can ignite, as well as other fuel sources such as sponges that have been saturated with oxygen.

Activate the electrosurgery pencil, electrocautery device and laser only when the tip is in view, especially when working with a microscope or with endoscopes. Likewise, deactivate these devices before the tip leaves the surgical site. Activation of these devices close to sponges, surgical drapes and other fuel sources is extremely hazardous, particularly in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere

Some surgeons may elect to buzz the hemostat during a surgical procedure. This practice is not recommended because it may result in metal-to-metal arcing, which in turn can become an ignition source. If, however, the surgeon elects to buzz the hemostat, metal-to-metal arcing can be prevented by avoiding open-circuit activation, and by using a low power setting and a low voltage waveform.

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