Energy Transfer to an Inappropriate Location

All available medical laser wavelengths are transmitted transparently through air and are well reflected by smooth metal surfaces. Pressing the laser control trigger at the wrong time can deliver damaging laser light across the wound to sites at which surgical ablation was not desired or across the operating room into colleagues' eyes. Potentially tragic situations include laser ignition of surgical drapes^{[42] [43]} and, of special concern for anesthesiologists, accidental irradiation of an endotracheal tube during airway surgery.