A Case of Skin Burns Occurring during Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

Skin burn injury from light cables is a rare complication of laparoscopic surgery. We report the case of a 57-year-old female who underwent laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy under general anesthesia. During surgery, the anesthesiologist discovered that the tip of the light cable, with the light source powered on, penetrated the surgical drape and was positioned on the right forearm of the patient, where a bulla measuring 2.0× 2.5 cm in size and a second-degree burn were identified. All medical personnel participating in laparoscopic and arthroscopic procedures should always be aware that the light cable can cause burns to the patient. Additionally, after connecting the light cable to the scope, the light source should be activated. The light cable should not be placed around the patient or on the surgical drape while the light source is active. Immediately after completing the surgery, the power to the light source should be turned off, and the light cable should be placed in a safe place.