Lasers, electric tools cause OR fires

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A recent study suggests lasers and other medical electrosurgical devices are the most likely causes of U.S. operating room fires.

The Researchers, Dr. Lee Smith of Washington and Dr. Soham Roy of Houston, said that among a group of 349 otolaryngologists -- physicians who treat ear, nose and throat maladies -- a quarter (25.2 percent) had witnessed at least one operating room fire during the course of their career, and several had witnessed multiple fires.

Of those fires, 81 percent occurred during administration of supplemental oxygen and the most common sources of ignition (59 percent) were electrosurgical units, followed by lasers (32 percent), and light cords (7 percent).

The study was presented this week in San Diego during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.