Incidence of Operating Room Fires During Hand Surgical Procedures

Background: The purpose of the present study is to report the incidence of operating room fires during hand surgical procedures. Methods: The clinic and OR electronic medical records of seven fellowship-trained orthopedic hand surgeons at a single, large practice were retrospectively reviewed. All upper extremity procedures performed between June ۲۰۱۴ to June ۲۰۱۹ in both hospital and surgery center settings were included in the review. Demographic data was collected. The incidence of operating room fires was determined. Results: A total of ۱۸,۸۱۹ hand and upper extremity surgical procedures were included. There were ۱۶,۷۶۷ (۸۹.۱%) cases performed in a surgery center, while ۲,۰۵۲ (۱۰.۹%) of cases were performed in a hospital. There were ۱۲,۶۹۱ (۶۷.۴%) soft tissue procedures and ۶,۱۲۷ (۳۲.۶%) bony procedures performed. Chlorhexidine gluconate preparation solution was used in ۹۶۰۷ cases (۵۱%). Chloraprep solution was used in ۶۲۸۰ cases (۳۳.۴%). Betadine was used in ۲,۹۳۲ cases (۱۵.۶%). One surgeon has monopolar electrocautery only available during cases. Five surgeons have bipolar available, and one has both mono and bipolar electrocautery available. There were no fires (۰%) identified during the study period. Conclusion: The incidence of operating room fires during hand surgical procedures is extremely low. While hand surgeons can be reassured that the likelihood of an operating room fire is minimal, surgeons should not become complacent and should maintain a high level of vigilance to prevent these potentially devastating occurences. Level of evidence: IV

Keywords:

Operating Room Fires , Hand surgery