Histologic evaluation of electrosurgery with varying frequency and waveform

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Surgical Technology
• Histopathology

Background:

• Electrosurgery is a common surgical technique.
• Different electrosurgical devices utilize varying carrier frequencies and waveforms.
• Understanding tissue alteration is crucial for optimizing surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare tissue alteration caused by electrosurgical machines with different carrier frequencies.
• To evaluate the impact of various waveforms on tissue damage during electrosurgery.

Main Methods:

• Histologic analysis of tissue alterations.
• Comparison of electrosurgical machines with different frequencies (e.g., 1.7 MHz) and waveforms (continuous vs. modulated).

Main Results:

• Lower frequency (1.7 MHz) full-wave rectified electrosurgery caused greater superficial tissue alteration.
• Continuous waveforms resulted in less superficial tissue alteration compared to modulated waveforms at the same frequency.
• A 50 mu band of coagulation necrosis was observed at the incision margin, decreasing with depth.

Conclusions:

• Electrosurgical machine frequency and waveform significantly influence the extent of superficial tissue alteration.
• Lower frequencies and modulated waveforms lead to more pronounced tissue damage.
• The shape of the electrosurgical defect correlates with the cutting electrode's physical form.