Hand Skin Burn as a Complication of Electrosurgery Use in Prone Position in Surgery: A Case Report

Abstract

Electrosurgery is one of the advances in the surgical field and used commonly. Modern electrosurgical units considered relatively safe. Although rare, inadvertent skin burns due to electrosurgery caused by different mechanisms were reported in the literature. Positioning the patient in prone is required for some surgeries and utilizing this position in a proper manner is essential to avoid complications. We present a case of a 47-year-old female patient who underwent uneventful spinal surgery in a prone position. The patient complained of pain in fingers postoperatively that revealed third-degree skin burn. Plastic surgery was involved in the treatment of burns and the patient followed regularly until fully healed. This case study aims to prompt awareness among surgeons and the staff of the operation-room regarding the unintended burn of patients caused by aberrant circuit related to electrosurgery in prone position.