The effect of intraoral suction on oxygen-enriched surgical environments: a mechanism for reducing the risk of surgical fires

In this study, a mechanical model was applied in order to replicate potential surgical fire conditions in an oxygen-enriched environment with and without high-volume suction typical for dental surgical applications. During 41 trials, 3 combustion events were measured: an audible pop, a visible flash...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anesthesia progress 2014-01, Vol.61 (4), p.155-161
Main Authors: VanCleave, Andrea M, Jones, James E, McGlothlin, James D, Saxen, Mark A, Sanders, Brian J, Vinson, LaQuia A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Chickens
Dental Offices
Dentistry
Electrocoagulation - adverse effects
Electrocoagulation - instrumentation
Fires - prevention & control
Models, Animal
Operating Rooms
Oxygen
Risk Management
Safety Management
Scientific Reports
Suction - methods
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Summary:In this study, a mechanical model was applied in order to replicate potential surgical fire conditions in an oxygen-enriched environment with and without high-volume suction typical for dental surgical applications. During 41 trials, 3 combustion events were measured: an audible pop, a visible flash of light, and full ignition. In at least 11 of 21 trials without suction, all 3 conditions were observed, sometimes with an extent of fire that required early termination of the experimental trial. By contrast, in 18 of 20 with-suction trials, ignition did not occur at all, and in the 2 cases where ignition did occur, the fire was qualitatively a much smaller, candle-like flame. Statistically comparing these 3 combustion events in the no-suction versus with-suction trials, ignition (P = .0005), audible pop (P = .0211), and flash (P = .0092) were all significantly more likely in the no-suction condition. These results suggest a possible significant and new element to be added to existing surgical fire safety protocols toward making surgical fires the "never-events" they should be.
ISSN:0003-3006
1878-7177
DOI:10.2344/0003-3006-61.4.155