Prevention of Fire Hazards Associated with Use of Carbon Dioxide Lasers

Avoidance of Laser Ignition of Endotracheal Tubes by Wrapping in Aluminium Foil Tape

“…Although this power setting has no clinical relevance in the paediatric airway, this study also found that the adhesive of the Radio Shack tape ignited at 0.1 seconds (as did another 3M tape product, #433). Two studies have evaluated the Radio Shack #44-1155 tape at lower power settings and found it delayed ignition of endotracheal tubes at power settings of between 10 and 20 watts [6][7] . Sosis also tested the 3M #425 solid aluminium foil tape with the CO 2 laser at 70 watts and 0.68 mm spot size and found it unaffected by 25 seconds of laser impact 5 .…”

Percutaneous transtracheal jet ventilation for paediatric endoscopic laser treatment of laryngeal and subglottic lesions

“…The advantages and complications of TI'JV have been described during both elective surgery and emergency airway management. 9,23,14,[24][25][26] In endoscopic surgery, TI'JV avoids trauma to the diseased tissues and preserves the initial laryngeal state which, along with the quality of endoscopic exposure, may offer a decisive therapeutic advantage. Immobility of the operative field ensures optimal precision of the laser beam and inhalation of particles, saliva and/or tumour debris is prevented by the contin-uous expiratory flow.…”

Vessel dilator cricothyrotomy for transtracheal jet ventilation

“…The vessel dilator must be protected with pettipads and compressed air rather than oxygen should be employed to prevent laser-induced fires. 16 We have used this technique in patients with subglottic stenosis for whom the surgeons planned tracheostomy and Montgomery stent placement. The passage of the "J" wire assured accurate placement of the vessel dilator in the lumen of the stenosed trachea.…”