TOKYO, Japan — A woman who was undergoing an operation was seriously burned when she passed gas.
According to The Straits Times, the fire occurred at Tokyo Medical University Hospital on April 15.
The patient, who is in her 30’s, was undergoing an operation on her cervix. During the surgery, she passed gas, and it ignited the irradiation of the laser that was being used.
The fire burnt most of her body, including her waist and legs, the Strait Times reports.
A committee of experts not affiliated with the hospital reviewed the case and released their report on October 28. According to the experts, there were no flammable materials in the operation room during the surgery, and the equipment did not malfunction.
The Straits Times obtained the report which said:
“When the patient’s intestinal gas leaked into the space of the operation (room), it ignited with the irradiation of the laser, and the burning spread, eventually reaching the surgical drape and causing the fire.”
