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Too Hot to Handle—Quantifying Temperature Variations in the Nasal Endoscope Ocular Assembly and Light Post - Trevor Lewis, …
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American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy
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Abstract
Background
Nasal endoscopes have transformed and improved the safety of intranasal and transnasal
surgery. The heat they can produce may, however, reach dangerous levels for surgeons.
Studies have not previously assessed the temperature of the nasal endoscope light
post/ocular assembly (LP/OA)—where the surgeon usually holds the endoscope.
Objective
This study aims to understand the effect of different nasal endoscopes, light sources, and
light cords on the LP/OA temperature.
Methods
We measured the temperature at the LP/OA of various rigid nasal endoscopes at multiple
time intervals over 30 minutes, as well as after turning off the light source and irrigating the
LP/OA with 10 mL of saline.
Results
The highest temperature recorded was 67.37°C at the LP/OA at 30 minutes, using a new light
cord, older endoscope, and 184-hour xenon light bulb. In every trial, the temperature of the
LP/OA continually increased until 30 minutes when the light source was turned off.
Statistically significant (P < .001) temperature differences were seen in trials using the older
xenon light sources. The light-emitting diode light source was significantly cooler with an
older light cord regardless of the age of the scope (P = .003).
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Too Hot to Handle—Quantifying Temperature Variations in the Nasal Endoscope Ocular Assembly and Light Post - Trevor Lewis, …
Conclusion
Endoscope temperatures during sinus surgery may reach potentially dangerous levels at the
LP/OA region. These temperatures may be sufficient to cause second-degree burns during
normal usage. Factors associated with higher endoscope temperatures include longer times
with the light source on and xenon light bulbs.
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