Biomaterial Database

Unipolar electrosurgery in operative laparoscopy. Capacitance as a potential source of injury. 1995

C M Grosskinsky, and J F Hulka

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether capacitive "stray" currents that can be generated during unipolar laparoscopic electrosurgery are likely to cause unintentional organ injury. METHODS In a controlled laboratory setting, the passage of capacitive current across the insulated portion of unipolar, 5-mm laparoscopic instruments was assessed for its ability to cause damage to biologic tissues. RESULTS Modulated (coagulating) current output at power settings as low as 20-25 W led to apparent passage of current across the insulated portion of some laparoscopic instruments with thin insulation. This was accompanied by thermal damage to biologic tissues and instrument insulation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings can explain unintentional injury during unipolar electrosurgery. The risk of such injury can be reduced by surgeon awareness, low generator output power and use of instruments with ample insulation. Thin insulation is more likely to be encountered with disposable than with multiuse instruments.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010535	Laparoscopy	A procedure in which a laparoscope (LAPAROSCOPES) is inserted through a small incision near the navel to examine the abdominal and pelvic organs in the PERITONEAL CAVITY. If appropriate, biopsy or surgery can be performed during laparoscopy.	Celioscopy,Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures,Peritoneoscopy,Surgical Procedures, Laparoscopic,Laparoscopic Assisted Surgery,Laparoscopic Surgery,Laparoscopic Surgical Procedure,Procedure, Laparoscopic Surgical,Procedures, Laparoscopic Surgical,Surgery, Laparoscopic,Surgical Procedure, Laparoscopic,Celioscopies,Laparoscopic Assisted Surgeries,Laparoscopic Surgeries,Laparoscopies,Peritoneoscopies,Surgeries, Laparoscopic,Surgeries, Laparoscopic Assisted,Surgery, Laparoscopic Assisted
D002056	Burns	Injuries to tissues caused by contact with heat, steam, chemicals (BURNS, CHEMICAL), electricity (BURNS, ELECTRIC), or the like.	Burn
D004598	Electrosurgery	Division of tissues by a high-frequency current applied locally with a metal instrument or needle. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Electrosurgeries
D004867	Equipment Design	Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware.	Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012307	Risk Factors	An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, environmental exposure, inborn or inherited characteristic, which, based on epidemiological evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent.	Health Correlates,Risk Factor Scores,Risk Scores,Social Risk Factors,Population at Risk,Populations at Risk,Correlates, Health,Factor, Risk,Factor, Social Risk,Factors, Social Risk,Risk Factor,Risk Factor Score,Risk Factor, Social,Risk Factors, Social,Risk Score,Score, Risk,Score, Risk Factor,Social Risk Factor
D020706	Laparoscopes	ENDOSCOPES for examining the abdominal and pelvic organs in the peritoneal cavity.	Celioscopes,Peritoneoscopes,Laparoscope,Celioscope,Peritoneoscope