On January 9, 2023 in Russia, a Muscovite woman suffering from a simple shoulder fracture caught fire in the middle of her surgery. An investigation has been opened.
The danger is not always where you expect it, and this story is the illustration. On January 9 in Moscow, a woman who came to have surgery for a broken shoulder caught fire “on the operating table”in the middle of the procedure. Burned in the neck, back, chest and shoulder, the patient was taken care of instantly. “Doctors gave her all the help she needed“says the Russian television channel REN TV. According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, the surgeon performing the operation was also injured. The extent of his injuries is not known.
An investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the incident. According to initial findings, a short circuit in one of the surgical equipment could be the cause of the outbreak of flames. The fire would then have spread on the fabrics placed on the operating table (sheets, operating drapes, compresses) before reaching the patient.
20% of victims of “patient fires” suffer serious sequelae or die
Although rare, fires in operating theatres, also called “patient fires”, are a risk that should not be overlooked., in particular because of the gases administered by anesthesiologists in the airways (oxygen and nitrous oxide, two highly flammable gases). Alcohol-based surgical prep solutions and heat sources such as electrocautery and lasers also pose a risk.
According to a study published by the Lorraine Institute of Anesthesia and Resuscitation (Ilar), 20% of the victims of these fires (on or inside their body) suffer serious consequences or die.
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Moscow
The incident took place in a Moscow hospital.
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The patient was taken care of immediately.
“The doctors gave her all the help she needed,” Russian television channel REN TV said.
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The surgeon operating on the patient was also injured.
The extent of the injuries to the operating surgeon is unknown.
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The patient suffers from burns.
Fires in operating theatres, also called “patient fires”, are rare but very dangerous.