Metal anesthesia circuit components stop the progression of laser fires

Study Objective: To determine whether metallic Y-pieces and elbows would halt the progression of a laser-induced endotracheal tube fire. Design: A segment of polyvinyl chloride endotracheal tube was attached to either an all-plastic anesthesia circle breathing system (n = 5) or a circuit consisting of a metal Y-piece and elbow with plastic hoses (n = 5). In each case, an Nd-YAG laser was used to ignite the endotracheal tube segment and attached anesthesia circuit as 5 L/min of oxygen was flowing through them. Setting: Research laboratory of a university-affiliated metropolitan medical center. Measurements and Main Results: The flames from the endotracheal tubes burned through the 22 mm hoses that were part of the all-plastic circuits in 49.5 ± 8.8 seconds (mean ± SD). In none of the trials with the metal components did the fire advance beyond the endotracheal tube's 15 mm adapter. Conclusions: Metal circuit components halt the progression of laser-induced endotracheal tube fires toward the anesthesia machine.