Alcohol-based skin disinfection of the umbilicus resulting in the electrosurgical device-related fire: A case report

Alcohol-based antiseptic solutions are widely used for preoperative skin preparation but may rarely cause surgical fires. We report a case of surgical drape ignition during transumbilical laparoscopic surgery in a woman in her late 30s. A fire occurred shortly after starting to use an electrosurgical unit following additional disinfection of the umbilicus with an alcohol-based chlorhexidine solution. When additional disinfection is performed, care should be taken to ensure that the antiseptic is completely dry before proceeding. Under specific circumstances, alcohol-free antiseptic solutions may be considered as an alternative.