We report the results of our study of 25 children who underwent tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy under endotracheal general anesthesia with respect to their risk of fire in the oropharynx. We also attempt to explain the reasons for the difference between the relatively high incidence of airway explosions and fires that have occurred during tracheostomy with electrosurgery and electrocautery and the low incidence of these events during electrosurgical dissection of the tonsils. Finally, we review the precautions that physicians can take to lower the risk of operating-room fires and explosions.
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