Fire in the Operating Room: A Previously Unreported Ignition Source

Surgical fires are a serious threat to the patient and surgical team in the operating room. Burns have been reported at, and distant to, the operating site, as well as within the body. The essential point to remember is that at least 1 arm of the fire triangle—an oxidizer, fuel, and an ignition source—must be completely controlled to prevent an intraoperative fire. Here we give the example of a pulse lavage system as a possible ignition source.