A new meaning to 'heart burn' - Aussie man's chest catches fire during surgery

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An Australian man's chest has literally caught fire during emergency heart surgery after a dry surgical pack ignited in a high oxygen environment. The patient was undergoing surgery for a tear in the inner wall of the aorta, the main blood vessel leaving the heart, when doctors had to suddenly increase the flow of oxygen in his anaesthetic to 100%. Soon after, a spark from the electrocautery device - a heated electrode used to stop bleeding - ignited a dry surgical pack. The fire was immediately extinguished without any injury to the patient. The rest of the operation proceeded uneventfully and the repair was a success. Phew.

Journal/conference: Euroanaesthesia Congress

Organisation/s: Austin Health

Funder: None declared

Media Release

From: Euroanaesthesia Congress

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