Mb. Sosis et B. Braverman, METAL ANESTHESIA CIRCUIT COMPONENTS STOP THE PROGRESSION OF LASER FIRES, Journal of clinical anesthesia, 6(1), 1994, pp. 52-54
Study Objective: To determine whether metallic Y-pieces and elbows wou
ld halt the progression of a laser-induced endotracheal tube fire. Des
ign: A segment of polyvinyl chloride endotracheal tube was attached to
either an all-plastic anesthesia circle breathing system (n = 5) or a
circuit consisting of a metal Y-piece and elbow with plastic hoses (n
= 5). In each case, an Nd-YAG laser was used to ignite the endotrache
al tube segment and attached anesthesia circuit as 5 L/min of oxygen w
as flowing through them. Setting: Research laboratory of a university-
affiliated metropolitan medical center Measurements and Main Results:
The flames from the endotracheal tubes burned through the 22 mm hoses
that were part of the all-plastic circuits in 49.5 +/- 8.8 seconds (me
an +/- SD). In none of the trials with the metal components did the fi
re advance beyond the endotracheal tube's 15 mm adapter. Conclusions:
Metal circuit components halt the progression of laser-induced endotra
cheal tube fires toward the anesthesia machine.