I read with great interest the article titled “Perioral Burns After Adenotonsillectomy: A Potentially Serious Complication” by Nuara et al,1 which appeared in the January 2008 issue of the Archives. One way to reduce the likelihood of burns that result from thermal conduction as well as from “flash” or “arc” effects of electrocautery devices against generally noninsulated metallic instruments is to keep a gloved finger between the oropharyngeal and lip mucosa and the metal. The gloved finger may help to retract the lip as well as to provide insulation against the burn.