Anaes SAQs · Electricity, diathermy & theatre safety
The physics of surgical diathermy
Primary physics — the high frequency (300 kHz to 3 MHz, above the nerve/muscle stimulation threshold), the resistive Joule heating of the tissue, the continuous cut waveform versus the damped coagulation waveform, and the monopolar (body traversal) versus the bipolar (between the forceps tips) circuits.
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Prompt
Describe the principles of the surgical diathermy: the frequency used and why, the difference between the cutting and the coagulation waveforms, and the monopolar versus the bipolar configuration.
Question
Describe the principles of the surgical diathermy: the frequency used and why, the difference between the cutting and the coagulation waveforms, and the monopolar versus the bipolar configuration.
References3ShowHide
- [1]Vilos GA, et al. Electrosurgical generators and monopolar and bipolar electrosurgery. J Minim Invasive Gynecol, 2013.PMID 23659748
- [6]Al Baalharith MM, et al. Understanding the safe application of electrosurgery. J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2023.PMID 36818175
- [36818176]Bersten AD, Soni N (eds) Oh's Intensive Care Manual. 8th edition, Elsevier, 2018.