Which procedure is most likely to have an intra-op fire occur?

Intraoperative fires are a rare but serious risk, particularly in procedures involving the head and neck region or when ignition sources are present near flammable materials such as surgical drapes or antiseptics.

Parotidectomy, which involves surgery on the salivary gland located near the ear, is particularly susceptible to such risks because it often requires the use of electrosurgical devices for hemostasis. Additionally, the area is frequently prepped with flammable antiseptic solutions, and these factors combined can create a higher likelihood for an operating room fire.

The other procedures listed, while they may present their own risks, do not typically involve the same combination of factors that significantly raise the risk of fire during surgery. For example, pneumonectomy and cholecystectomy are primarily conducted in body cavities where ignition sources are generally less prevalent, and while hernia repair also involves the use of electrosurgical instruments, it is performed in areas further removed from ignition risks typically associated with head and neck surgeries.

Thus, considering the specific conditions that contribute to the likelihood of an intraoperative fire, a parotidectomy stands out as the procedure with the highest potential for such an event.