Antecubital Burn Resulting From Antenna Coupling: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2024 Mar 14;14(1). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.24.00028. eCollection 2024 Jan 1.

Abstract

Case: We present the case of a 54-year-old man who underwent elective hip disarticulation complicated by third-degree burn of the left antecubital fossa requiring skin graft. After careful review, it was determined that "antenna coupling" as a result of electrosurgery was the likely cause. We present an experiment demonstrating this phenomenon.

Conclusion: Antenna coupling is a real but rare cause of intraoperative burns not previously described in the orthopaedic literature. Care should be taken to avoid coiling or running bovie or other electrosurgical device cords with other metallic cords or corded devices.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Burns* / etiology
  • Electrosurgery / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin
  • Skin Transplantation