Principles of Electrosurgery

Introduction

History of cautery and advent of electrosurgery

Key events in electrosurgery

Electrosurgery basics

  • Foundational terminology
  • Monopolar vs. bipolar
  • Four primary electrosurgical procedures
  • Ablation
  • Vessel sealing & tissue fusion

Variables that impact tissue effect

Benefits of argon-enhanced electrosurgery

Tissue response technology

  • Open-loop and closed-loop systems

Power Efficiency Rating (PER) and Crest Factor (CF)

Types of electrosurgical generators

  • Grounded
  • Isolated
  • Isolated with contact quality monitoring

Power Efficiency Rating (PER) and Crest Factor (CF)

Types of electrosurgical generators

  • Grounded
  • Isolated
  • Isolated with contact quality monitoring

Patient Return Electrodes (PRE)

  • Types and construction materials
  • Pad placement
  • Causes of patient burns
  • REM & CQMS
  • Adaptive REM technology
  • Calibration of neonatal PREs
  • The use of multiple PREs

Hazards of surgical smoke

  • Biological & chemical contaminants
  • FDA requirements
  • RapidVac™ Smoke Evacuation System (and interlink cabling)

Interpreting generator serial numbers

Review of supplemental handout materials

Summary

Review quiz