Patient Morbidity due to Sterile Zone Fire Outbreak during an Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery: A Case Report

Abstract

Operating room fires are considered ‘never events’; they are uncommon but can prove to be potentially damaging to the humans involved and the expensive operating room instrumentation. Research indicates that significant knowledge gaps exist in orthopaedic community relating to fire prevention, fire safety and fire management. A 24-year-old male patient with clavicle fracture was planned for surgical fixation. A nerve block procedure was performed. Skin preparation was done with 10% betadine scrub and surgical spirit. The surgical team performed skin incision, and superficial dissection was carried out using electrocautery. A fire broke out, and on noticing the fumes, saline was poured, drapes were removed and the authors observed charring of deeper linen and skin damage. A superficial thermal burn, greenish blue in colour (7 x 1.5 cms) located 1–1.5 cms above the surgical incision was evident (see Fig. 4). The event was later explained to the patient. The surgical scar was healthy, and burn margins became defined and darkish green blue. Dressing was done with megaheal ointment. The burn healed in 4 weeks. As these events are rare, a specific action protocol has not been orchestrated. With newer reports coming in, orthopaedic associations should work out a sustainable plan of action to minimize the occurrence of these events and the damage incurred. Training of orthopaedic and anaesthesia team and operating room personnel remains the most important step in countering a fire event, as more the helping hands, the better is the outcome. Maintaining a high vigil ensures timely action response to maintain patient safety and counter adverse events effectively.