Prevention of thermal injury from lighted retractors in breast surgery: a comparative study of optical cable calibre

Abstract

**Objective**: Iatrogenic thermal injury can result from the use of lighted retractors during breast surgery due to the generation of heat at the connection between the optical cable and the lighted retractor. This study aims to determine whether a smaller calibre optical cable generates less heat at its connection with a Tebbetts lighted retractor. **Methods**: We measured the heat generated at the connection between an optical cable and a Tebbetts lighted retractor for a 3.0 mm optical cable and a 5.5 mm optical cable. **Results**: Both optical cables showed temperature rises. The 3.0 mm optical cable reached a peak temperature of 33.29 °C after 44 minutes and 47 seconds. The 5.5 mm optical cable reached a peak temperature of 49.23 °C after 53 minutes and 19 seconds. Light intensity was similar between the two cable types. **Conclusion**: A 3.0 mm optical cable generates less heat than a 5.5 mm cable at the connection between the cable and the retractor. We recommend using the smaller calibre optical cable to reduce the risk of thermal injury to patients from the use of Tebbetts lighted retractors during breast surgery.