Question:hard
A fire breaks out during laser vocal cord surgery on the larynx under general anaesthesia. What is NOT to be done in the management of the above situation?
A fire breaks out during laser vocal cord surgery on the larynx under general anaesthesia. What is NOT to be done in the management of the above situation?
Show Hint
Fire needs an oxidiser; which step would actually fuel the airway fire?
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Pouring sterile water into the oral cavity
- Removing the endotracheal tube
- 100% oxygen after discontinuing anaesthetic gases
- Treatment with steroid and antibiotic
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Frame this as the standard airway-fire drill and then spot the step that violates it. When fire erupts in the airway during laser laryngeal surgery, the priorities are to cut off the oxidiser, remove the fuel, and put out the flame. Concretely: immediately stop fresh gas flow, disconnect the circuit, pull out the burning endotracheal tube, and flush the airway with saline or water. Map the options onto this protocol. Pouring sterile water into the mouth quenches the fire, so it is appropriate. Removing the endotracheal tube eliminates the very object that is burning, so it is appropriate. Giving steroids and antibiotics addresses the post-burn airway oedema, inflammation, and infection risk, so it belongs to subsequent care. The remaining choice, delivering 100% oxygen, is dangerous because oxygen is precisely what sustains and worsens combustion; the correct move is to lower, not maximise, the inspired oxygen. Therefore the action you must NOT take is administering 100% oxygen. $100\%\ oxygen$ would feed the fire and is contraindicated.\[\boxed{\text{100\% oxygen after discontinuing anaesthetic gases}}\]
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