Cutting Monopolar Needle Electrode of Electrosurgery, a Safe Tool for Skin Incision in Neurosurgery

Sharma Krishan Kumar,Ali Asgar

doi:10.23937/2469-5777/1510094

Abstract

In ancient time heat was used to treat wounds. Now a days electrosurgery unit (ESU) is an important part of operation theatre equipments utilized by almost every surgeon. Electrocautery and diathermy are the term used by many operations theatre medical and paramedical persons including surgeons for electrosurgery. They altogether are three different things. Cutting monopolar needle electrode of electrosurgery is a safe tool for skin incision in neurosurgery but hardly very few surgeons are utilizing it as a tool for making skin incision. Reason for not using it probably is the fear of poor wound healing and deep burn of underline tissue or awareness about it. The objective of this case study is to bring awareness about 'cutting monopolar needle electrode of electrosurgery' as an available tool for skin incision in neurosurgery with less blood loss and marked reduction in incision time than stainless steel surgical blade.

Highlights

The objective of this case study is to increase awareness about the use of monopolar cutting electrosurgery as a tool for skin incisions in neurosurgery
In electrosurgery, alternating current is converted into high frequency of more than 100,000 cycles per second (100 kilohertz) by electrosurgical unit, which passes through body or human tissue
Standard alternating electric current is converted into high frequency by electrosurgical generator called electrosurgical unit (ESU)

Summary

Introduction

The objective of this case study is to increase awareness about the use of monopolar cutting electrosurgery as a tool for skin incisions in neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons typically use stainless steel blades for skin incisions. In Electrosurgery, high-frequency (radio frequency) alternating electrical current is used to cut, coagulate, desiccate, or fulgurate biological tissue [2,3].

Results

Conclusion