Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2016 Dec;59(12):873-876. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.12.873.

Burn Injury Caused by Electrosurgical Unit during Adenotonsillectomy

• Heo SJ
• Na KJ
• Kim JS

• KMID: 2368018
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.12.873

Abstract

Electrosurgical units are frequently employed during adenotonsillectomies to reduce both operation time and the amount of bleeding. Complications related to electrosurgical units have rarely been reported or taken into consideration by the majority of surgeons during operations. We report a case of an electrosurgical unit induced burn injury during an adenotonsillectomy. More specifically, the injury was a second-degree burn that occurred on the right oral commissure and the lip. The exact cause of the burn was not determined despite a close examination of the electrosurgical unit. An ointment was applied frequently to the lesion to prevent the wound from drying; the wound subsequently healed without any permanent scarring. Preventive methods, such as a thorough inspection of devices prior to surgery, the technique of using the third finger, and the use of a cheek retractor, may be necessary to avoid burn injuries caused by electrosurgical units.

Keyword

Burns; Electrosurgery; Iatrogenic disease; Tonsillectomy

MeSH Terms

Burns*
Cheek
Cicatrix
Electrosurgery
Fingers
Hemorrhage
Iatrogenic Disease
Lip
Surgeons
Tonsillectomy
Wounds and Injuries