S. Chinpairoj et al., A comparison of monopolar electrosurgery to a new multipolar electrosurgical system in a rat model, LARYNGOSCOP, 111(2), 2001, pp. 213-217
Objectives/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to compare collateral t
issue damage and wound healing in incisions created by electro-dissociation
and conventional electrosurgery. Conventional electrosurgery has been used
as an alternative to the scalpel to improve hemostasis. However, the heat
generated by this instrument can cause tissue damage surrounding the incisi
on, limiting its use around nerves and large blood vessels A new technology
, Coblation (Arthrocare Corp., Sunnyvale, CA), uses "electro-dissociation"
to achieve similar results by creating charged particles from a conductive
medium to make an incision while simultaneously achieving hemostasis. This
new approach to electrosurgery may reduce soft tissue damage. Study Design
Methods: Two prospective, matched design experiments were performed. In exp
eriment I, both devices were set at the same electrical power in watts and
then used to create an incision on the tongue of rats. In experiment II, th
e electrical power settings of both devices were adjusted until they create
d incisions of the same size. Epithelial destruction and collateral tissue
damage were measured in histologically prepared tissue in both experiments,
and the wound healing process was observed in experiment II at 0, 3, 7, an
d 14 days after surgery. Results: The results showed that the electro-disso
ciation method created significantly less epithelial destruction and collat
eral tissue damage in both experiments. Granulation tissue formation was al
so significantly less extensive in the electro-dissociation-induced incisio
n after 7 and 14 days of recovery. Conclusions: Wound healing may be faster
than with conventional electrosurgery if the Coblation device is used.