What Are The Electrosurgical Pencil And Its Role In Surgery?

The electrosurgical pencil is also known as cautery pencil used to fulgurate, cut, coagulate or dissect biological tissue by applying an appropriate amount of electric current. The Electrosurgical Pencils, a medical device which is versatile and suits all type of operating needs. Electrosurgical cables are connected with a machine that operates the amount of current while surgery. They come with universal size connectors, so can easily use in all surgical disciplines which make them compatible with most branded electrode tips. Some of the surgical disciplines that use electrosurgical pencils are neurological, gynecological, cosmetic, cardiothoracic and orthopedic, etc.

The different shapes and sizes are available for cautery electrodes that depend on the requirement of the surgeon. These pencils are easy to operate and also reusable and also available in disposable variants. They give surgeons the ability to control cutting while surgery and coagulation settings by switches or buttons.

Applications of Electrosurgical pencils:

Surgeons nowadays modify electric waveforms to achieve the desired effect on the targeted area. Surgeons use different types of electrical currents to achieve the best outcomes. The procedures are:

Desiccation:

Electrosurgical pencils desiccation is achieved when the electrodes come directly in contact with the tissues. The current concentration is lessened when you touch it with a tissue. Minimally, it can be used for invasive surgical procedures.

Cutting:

Electrosurgical cutting divides the tissues with sparks. This focuses intense heat at the target area. The surgeons create an electrical spark by holding a little away from the tissues.

Fulguration:

An Electrosurgical fulguration burns and coagulates the tissues over the wide area. The surgeons regulate the duty cycle to about 6% which produces less heat.

Some misconceptions about electrosurgery:

People get confused between Electrosurgery and electrocautery. It uses direct current while electrosurgery uses current alternatively. In electrocautery, the heated wire is in direct contact. Contrastively, in electrosurgery the current passes through the patient’s body. That’s why during the surgery, electrosurgical plates or pads are used to ground the body.

Types of electrodes tips of electrosurgical pencils:

• Needle electrode
• Blade electrode
• Ball tip electrode
• Precision electrode
• Blunt electrode

About This Author

Claire Smith Joined: March 18th, 2020