Electrosurgical burns in pediatric patients undergoing liver resection with saline-enhanced radiofrequency technology

Use of saline-enhanced radiofrequency (RF) technology reduces blood loss in infants undergoing liver resection. Radiofrequency systems continuously deliver much higher currents for longer periods of time than conventional coagulation instruments and thus increase the risk of complications. Thress infants undergoing liver resection with the newer RF technology at one facility experienced electrosurgical unit (ESU) dispersive pad burns. As a result, an experiment was performed on animal subjects to determine best ESU dispersive pad placement on infants and to gather data on device impedance. Recommendations to prevent burns include central placement of the ESU dispersive pad and activating warming devices only after resection is complete.