Electrosurgery

Electrosurgery is the application of a high-frequency electric current to biological tissue
as a means to cut, coagulate, desiccate or fulgurate.
Electrosurgery is commonly used in dermatological, gynecological, cardiac, plastic, ENT,
maxillofacial, orthopaedic, urological, neuro and general surgical procedures. Electrosurgical
devices have many benefits including the ability to cut precisely with limited tissue drag and
blood loss. Such devices can also be used to help prevent blood loss during surgery.

What is Fulguration?
Fulguration occurs when an electrode is held just above the skin and a shower of sparks is
transferred to the skins surface. This
causes carbonisation or charring and the
charred tissue acts as an insulator
preventing deeper tissue damage.

Although this method looks dramatic the
tissue destruction is more superficial than
that of desiccation or coagulation.

What is Desiccation?
Desiccation is achieved by placing an
electrode in good electrical contact with
the skin so that no sparks are generated.
This achieves a deeper level of tissue
damage but not as deep as coagulation.

What is coagulation?
There are two types of coagulation: Monopolar and bipolar.
Monopolar haemostatis is achieved via a single electrode
that is in contact with the tissue. During the process high
power is applied to the tissue for a limited period of time
causing it to sear without sticking.
Bipolar coagulation occurs when two electrodes are
brought to the tissue with bipolar forceps. The flow of
current between the tips of the forceps precisely coagulates
the intervening tissue sealing blood vessels.