HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTROSURGERY USING THE MICROCOMPUTER-CONTROLLED ERBEICC 350 UNIT

To quantitate electrosurgical and tissue variables during transurethra l prostatic resection and electrovaporization, these procedures were p erformed in five patients using standard endoscopic equipment and the Erbe ICC 350 electrosurgical generator. Current, voltage, power, and r esistance were monitored continuously. Energy transfer was quantitated during each electrode pass. Prostatic resection or electrovaporizatio n was successful in each patient. Current, voltage, resistance, and po wer were similar during resection and electrovaporization, where energ y transfer was greater during electrovaporization. Generator and tissu e characteristics can now be precisely monitored and instantaneously a ltered during transurethral prostatic electrosurgery to minimize energ y transfer to the patient while producing the desired tissue effects.