Fire safety recommendations for administration of isoflurane anesthesia in oxygen.

A researcher at the author's facility was carrying out a routine surgical procedure in a mouse that was anesthetized with vaporized isoflurane. When the researcher brought an active cauterizer close to the mouse, a flame erupted from the anesthesia nosecone. An investigation concluded that the fire was ignited when the cauterizer came into contact with the oxygen-enriched atmosphere that was streaming from the anesthetic equipment. The author presents recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future.