VanCleave, Andrea M.Jones, James E.McGlothlin, James D.Saxen, Mark A.Sanders, Brian J.Vinson, LaQuia A.2016-07-052016-07-052014VanCleave, A. M., Jones, J. E., McGlothlin, J. D., Saxen, M. A., Sanders, B. J., & Vinson, L. A. (2014). The Effect of Intraoral Suction on Oxygen-Enriched Surgical Environments: A Mechanism for Reducing the Risk of Surgical Fires. Anesthesia Progress, 61(4), 155–161. http://doi.org/10.2344/0003-3006-61.4.1550003-3006https://hdl.handle.net/1805/10291In this study, a mechanical model was applied in order to replicate potential surgical fire conditions in an oxygen-enriched environment with and without high-volume suction typical for dental surgical applications. During 41 trials, 3 combustion events were measured: an audible pop, a visible flash of light, and full ignition. In at least 11 of 21 trials without suction, all 3 conditions were observed, sometimes with an extent of fire that required early termination of the experimental trial. By contrast, in 18 of 20 with-suction trials, ignition did not occur at all, and in the 2 cases where ignition did occur, the fire was qualitatively a much smaller, candle-like flame. Statistically comparing these 3 combustion events in the no-suction versus with-suction trials, ignition (P = .0005), audible pop (P = .0211), and flash (P = .0092) were all significantly more likely in the no-suction condition. These results suggest a possible significant and new element to be added to existing surgical fire safety protocols toward making surgical fires the "never-events" they should be.en-USPublisher PolicyDental OfficesFiresprevention & controlOperating RoomsOxygenSuctionmethodsArticle