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Fatal air embolism as a complication of laser‐induced hyperthermia
Author(s) -
Schröder Tom M.,
Puolakkainen Pauli A.,
Hahl Juha,
Rämö O. Juhani
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.1900090215
Subject(s) - complication , air embolism , hyperthermia , embolism , medicine , surgery , radiology
Laser‐induced hyperthermia is a new treatment modality for malignancies. When large tumors are treated with laser thermia, relatively high laser powers (4–6 W) must be used to accomplish destruction of the cancerous cells. Overheating and burning of the laser fibers and contact tips during laser thermia treatment must be prevented by using coaxial gas or fluid flow. The present report describes a case of fatal air embolism as a complication of laser thermia using coaxial gas. The authors warn all surgeons performing this procedure not to use coaxial air flow for cooling the contact tips because of the potential risk of air embolism.