TITLE:
A Rare Complication: Perioral Burn Related to Electrocautery Use during Adenotonsillectomy
AUTHORS:
Erkun Tuncer, Sadık Şentürk
KEYWORDS:
Burn; Adenotonsillectomy; Tonsillectomy; Malpractice; Perioral Burn
JOURNAL NAME:
Modern Plastic Surgery,
Vol.3 No.2,
April
12,
2013
ABSTRACT: Electrocautery
is frequently used for incisions and bleeding control during adenotonsillectomy
which is one of the most commonly performed pediatric surgical procedures.
Although cases of perioral burn related to electrocautery use are rarely
reported complications in literature, they account for a significant portion of
malpractice lawsuits. The use of insulated surgical tools and lip protective
equipment, careful surgery, and the frequent control of surgical equipment may
decrease the number of this complication. This study examines whether a rarely
reported complication related to perioral burn is indeed rarely seen or whether
there are problems in reporting the real rates because it is evaluated to be a
case of malpractice, and the protective factors that will prevent this problem.
Consequently, it is underlined that this complication, which is more frequently
seen than it is reported, should be a part of preoperative information process
and the consent form.