De Wilt J H, Borel Rinkes I H, Brouwer K J
Department of Surgery, Zuiderziekenhuis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
J R Coll Surg Edinb. 1996 Dec;41(6):419.
Explosions of the colon as a result of the use of diathermy in the presence of gas mixtures of oxygen, hydrogen and/or methane have been previously described in the literature. This danger is present during colonoscopic polypectomy as well as during colonic surgery. The following case is presented to alert to the potential hazards of bowel gas during electrosurgery.