Electrosurgery ignition of a pneumoperitoneum secondary to prior spontaneous perforation of the small bowel: a cautionary tale

Abstract

We describe explosive combustion of a gas filled peritoneum from a handheld electrosurgery electrode used to enter the abdomen. The pneumoperitoneum was due to small bowel perforation and peritonitis had been established for at least two days. No injury was caused to either the patient or medical staff. This rare occurrence has only been described once before. Surgeons should be aware of the possible combustion of bowel gas, whether on opening bowel or the peritoneum after bowel perforation.