[Changes in gastric mucosa, liver and mesenteric vessels following bipolar electrocoagulation]

The implications of bipolar electrocoagulation with a modified probe (BICAP) were tested in rat gastric mucosa, liver tissue and mesenteric vessels. This was done during the coagulation and at different intervals, up to 14 days later, by intravital microscopy of the exposed organs. A histological treatment of the respective tissues ensued at the closing of each experiment. Applying a current of 25 watt and contact times lasting for 5 secs and longer, perfect tissue necrosis develops which has clean and straight edges. The extensions on the surface and into the depth of gastric mucosa match precisely the contact area with the instrument. In the deeper mucosal layers there is a fungiform spread of necrosis while in the liver it remains uniform and shows the same diameter as on the surface. As a late result and notwithstanding the confinement of the coagulation to the mucous membrane, a local peritonitis may develop. Within contractile vessels the action of bipolar coagulation stops the blood flow which is only irreversible, when the current and contact times are extended to bring about necrosis in neighbouring tissue. Within the microcirculation of the liver the blood flow is preserved up to the very boundary of the necrosis.