When you go into the hospital for surgery, you’re not supposed to come out with second and third degree burns.

But, according to some recent research, that’s what’s happening to 550-650 patients a year in this country. Dozens of patients suffer disfiguring burns and some are even killed as a result. This is according to a copyrighted story broadcast on MSNBC.

The problem is that anesthesiologists typically place a mask over the patient’s face during surgery. In addition to anesthesia, the mask often contains highly flammable, pure oxygen. When the surgeon begins to use some of the new, powered surgical tools like electro cardio pencils or lasers, especially near the mask, the result could be a flash fire.

Whatever the source, the head and neck region is grimly suited to hosting fires, especially in a high-oxygen atmosphere.

Like other shocking medical errors, such as objects left behind after surgery or operations on the wrong body part, surgical fires are regarded as a rare problem.

Not all states require hospitals to report these incidents and many are under reporting operating room fires. In fact, many hospitals and doctors have settled the resulting lawsuits out of court and requiring non-disclosure agreements as part of the settlement.

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