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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Life table analysis of pregnancy rates in women with moderate or severe endometriosis comparing danazol therapy after carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy plus electrocoagulation or laparotomy plus electrocoagulation versus danazol therapy only.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness, in terms of pregnancy rates, of isotopic 13CO2 laser laparoscopy versus traditional laparoscopy or laparotomy in the treatment of infertile women with moderate or severe endometriosis. DESIGN: Prospective 5-year study. SETTING: Medical school-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Three hundred nine infertile women with moderate to severe endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were treated with one of four options: operative laparoscopy with the 13carbon dioxide (13CO2) laser vaporization and/or resection, operative laparoscopy with simple electrocoagulation and sharp dissection, laparotomy with electrocoagulation and sharp dissection, and medical treatment with danazol. Estimated cumulative pregnancy rates using life table analyses were indicators of treatment of success and compared among treatments. A subgroup of 192 women considered to have endometriosis as the only infertility factor was also evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pregnancy rates in the laparoscopy group were equal to or higher than those of the laparotomy group, for both the entire population and the endometriosis-only subset. When the CO2 laser was used as an adjuvant option, the rates were better, especially in patients with advanced disease and with endometriosis as the only infertility factor. CONCLUSION: In women with endometriosis as the only infertility factor, laparoscopic surgery with the 13CO2 laser was more effective than nonlaser treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Sequential electrocoagulation and resection for carcinoma of the rectum.

Sequential electrocoagulation followed by resection of carcinoma of the rectum provides better survival results than have been previously obtained. More than 200 patients have been treated by this combined approach during the past ten years. The over-all five year survival rate is 67 per cent. The preferred method of treatment is sequential electrocoagulation followed by low anterior resection. When this procedure was done, 55 of the 65 patients have survived a minimum of five years. If abdominoperineal resection is necessary, the over-all survival rate is 61 per cent. The specific advantages of sequential electrocoagulation and resection are several. This procedure is safe and relatively easy to do. Electrocoagulation may be done at the time of initial biopsy as part of the preoperative evaluation. The usual interval between electrocoagulation and resection is three to five days. This may be longer in selected instances. Preoperative electrocoagulation of carcinoma of the rectum helps to prevent local recurrence on anastomoses and in the perineum. Local recurrence occurred in only 5 per cent of the patients. Electrocoagulation destroys rectal tumor cells in an area in which vascular isolation technique and wide resection of the mesentery are not possible. The efficacy of electrocoagulation in destroying tumor cells is confirmed by pathologic study of our clinical material. Combining electrocoagulation with resection may extend the limits of low anterior resection for favorable lesions allowing use of sphincter-saving procedures with less likelihood of local recurrence. Electrocoagulation, radiation therapy and surgical treatment are not mutually exclusive treatment methods. Rather, we view these modalities as complimentary in offering the potential for additive benefits.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Randomized, prospective trial of direct current versus bipolar electrocoagulation for bleeding internal hemorrhoids.

Fifty patients with bleeding internal hemorrhoids unresponsive to 6 weeks of standard medical therapy were randomly assigned to receive treatment with direct current or bipolar electrocoagulation. Treatment groups were similar in bleeding severity and internal hemorrhoid grade. Treatment sessions were significantly longer for direct current electrocoagulation (8.8 +/- 0.2 minutes) than for bipolar electrocoagulation (0.1 +/- 0.03 minutes) (p < 0.001). When compared to the bipolar electrocoagulation group, direct current electrocoagulation patients had more procedural pain that terminated therapy (5 of 25 patients [20%] versus 0 of 25 [0%], for a difference of 20% [95% confidence interval, 4% to 36%]; p = 0.05) and prolonged pain after the procedure (4 of 25 patients [16%] versus 1 of 25 [4%], for a difference of 12% [95% confidence interval, -4% to 28%]; p = 0.35). However, more post-treatment rectal ulcerations were seen in the bipolar electrocoagulation-treated group (6 of 25 patients [24%] versus 1 of 25 [4%], for a difference of 20% [95% confidence interval, 2% to 38%]; p = 0.10). Treatment groups did not differ in number of treatment sessions or months of follow-up. The rates of success, defined as obliteration of the hemorrhoids or cessation of bleeding with reduction of the hemorrhoids to grade 1 or less, for the direct current electrocoagulation and the bipolar electrocoagulation groups were 88% and 92%, respectively. Failures in the direct current electrocoagulation group were uncontrollable bleeding (n = 1) and refusal to continue therapy because of pain (n = 2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endoscopic sphincterotomy-induced hemorrhage: treatment with multipolar electrocoagulation.

Multipolar electrocoagulation is an effective therapy for patients with endoscopic evidence of active upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage or a non-bleeding visible vessel in an ulcer crater. The use of this therapy for endoscopic sphincterotomy-induced hemorrhage has not been reported previously. This prospective study attempted to assess the efficacy of multipolar electrocoagulation in patients with endoscopic sphincterotomy-induced hemorrhage not responding to conservative and/or other endoscopic measures. Nine patients with moderate or severe bleeding following endoscopic sphincterotomy (one, immediate; eight, delayed 12 to 144 hours) were treated by multipolar electrocoagulation. Prior to endoscopic therapy with multipolar electrocoagulation, the mean hematocrit drop was 14.5% and the mean number of packed red blood cells transfused was 4.8 units. Complete hemostasis was achieved in eight (89%) patients. Re-bleeding occurred in two (25%) and was controlled by a second course of multipolar electrocoagulation in one in whom it was attempted. There were no complications or deaths from multipolar electrocoagulation and surgical therapy was avoided in all nine patients. We recommend proceeding with multipolar electrocoagulation (if possible) after injection therapy and/or balloon tamponade fail to control the hemorrhage and before considering angiographic or surgical intervention.

Balloon Occlusion↗
PubMed1990

Multipolar electrocoagulation versus injection therapy in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers. A prospective, randomized trial.

This study prospectively compares multipolar electrocoagulation and injection therapy in high-risk patients with bleeding ulcers. Patients were considered for entry if they had a bloody nasogastric aspirate, melena, or hematochezia and unstable vital signs, transfusion of greater than or equal to 2 U of blood in 12 hours, or a decrease in hematocrit of greater than or equal to 6% in 12 hours. Sixty patients with endoscopic evidence of an ulcer with active bleeding (n = 26) or a nonbleeding visible vessel (n = 34) were randomly assigned to receive multipolar electrocoagulation or injection with absolute ethanol. Hemostasis was achieved in 14 of 14 actively bleeding patients with multipolar electrocoagulation vs. 10 of 12 (83%) treated with injection. No significant differences were observed between electrocoagulation and injection therapy in any parameter assessed during the hospitalization: incidence of further bleeding (6% vs. 10%), units of blood transfused after treatment (1.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.4), incidence of surgery for bleeding (6% vs. 7%), length of hospital stay in days (5.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 7.2 +/- 2.5), cost of hospitalization (+7160 +/- +1630 vs. +8520 +/- +2960), or mortality rate (3% vs. 3%). Treatment induced bleeding in nonbleeding visible vessels in 35% of subjects in each group, but this was controlled with continued treatment in all patients. One delayed perforation occurred 9 days after multipolar electrocoagulation. Multipolar electrocoagulation and injection therapy are of comparable efficacy in the treatment of patients with clinical evidence of a major upper gastrointestinal bleed and endoscopic evidence of an ulcer with active bleeding or a nonbleeding visible vessel.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Multipolar electrocoagulation in the treatment of active upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage. A prospective controlled trial.

The benefit of nonsurgical therapy in the treatment of active nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage is uncertain. I performed a prospective controlled trial of endoscopic multipolar electrocoagulation for active upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Patients were considered for entry if they had a bloody nasogastric aspirate, melena, or hematochezia, and any of the following: unstable vital signs, a requirement of greater than or equal to 2 units of blood per 12 hours, or a drop in hematocrit of greater than or equal to 6 percent in 12 hours. Forty-four patients were randomly assigned to receive multipolar electrocoagulation or sham multipolar electrocoagulation if endoscopy revealed active bleeding from an ulcer (24 patients), a Mallory-Weiss tear (17), or a vascular malformation (3). The group receiving multipolar electrocoagulation did significantly better in terms of hemostasis (90 percent vs. 13 percent, P less than 0.0001), mean (+/- SE) transfusion requirements (2.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.9 U; P = 0.002), mean number of hospital days (4.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.2 +/- 1.1, P = 0.02), and percentage needing emergency surgery or another intervention (14 vs. 57 percent, P = 0.01). Although mortality was lower in the group receiving multipolar electrocoagulation (0 vs. 13 percent), this difference was not statistically significant. The mean cost of hospitalization for treated patients was less than half that for the controls ($ 3,420 +/- 750 vs. $ 7,550 +/- 1,480, P = 0.001). I conclude that multipolar electrocoagulation markedly improves the hospital course in patients with major, nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Embolization in the therapy of hemoptysis. The results of a combination of Spongostan/sclerosing drugs and the role of electrocoagulation].

The author's purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic embolization in pulmonary hemorrhage performed with fibrin foam (Spongostan) suspended in sclerosing agents (hydroxy-polyethoxy-dodecane 3%, or natrium morruate 5%), and electrocoagulation (Biotrol, spa) as an alternative to surgery. Twenty patients were embolized: 17 with fibrin foam and sclerosing agents only, 2 with the addition of electrocoagulation and a Gianturco coil respectively, and 1 with electrocoagulation alone. The follow-up ranges from 3 to 42 months (average 22). A patient affected by aspergilloma died a few days after hemoptysis. The patient treated by electrocoagulation alone suffers from periodical hematic expectoration (spitting). The remaining 18 patients have not shown any pathological findings. In 2 cases the arterial occlusion was confirmed by angiography, while in 1 case partial arterial recanalization was observed. Such a finding was due to the vessel dimensions and to hyperflux values. In similar cases, obstruction must be completed by different techniques (e.g. Gianturco coils, electrocoagulation, detachable balloons, etc.). The absence of flux resulting from embolization improves electrocoagulation efficiency, which should be considered as the technique of choice. Even though additional trials are needed, the techniques have proven quite reliable and suitable to replace surgery in low-aggression lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Endoscopic electrocoagulation of actively bleeding arterial upper gastrointestinal lesions.

Emergency endoscopy to find the site of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is now accepted as the diagnostic method of choice. Endoscopic electrocoagulation in uncontrolled series has been successful in 98% of patients so treated (142 of 147). If a vessel is seen in an ulcer bed, some preliminary data would support surgical treatment. In my opinion, electrocoagulation is favored to prevent further bleeding. While some physicians have found electrocoagulation safe and effective, there are some who remain guardedly cautious. In the near future, a multicenter randomized study will begin to further assess the usefulness, effectiveness and safety of endoscopic electrocoagulation. Endoscopic electrocoagulation has opened a Pandora's box to exciting research in finding ways of treating acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Currently, electrocoagulation is the front runner.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Electrocoagulation for intraoral cancer.

Electrocoagulation of 58 intraoral lesions (1 to 6.5 cm in diameter) resulted in a three-year absolute disease-free survival rate of 59% (34/58). During the 20-year study, 43 (74%) of the 58 patients were cured. Though an initial 28% local failure rate was observed, 31% (5/16) of these patients were subsequently cured by a second electrocoagulation. Electrocoagulation has distinct advantages over conventional surgery and irradiation. Relatively little tissue beyond the tumor is coagulated. Such tissue sparing allows better postoperative function and cosmesis. The deleterious effects of irradiation, including the serious "dry-mouth" syndrome, are avoided. These treatment results are competitive with those of conventional surgery and irradiation. The limited field treated, the tissue conservation, the minimal morbidity, and the cost-effectiveness should make electrocoagulation a real consideration in treating selected invasive intraoral tumors. Ideally suited for electrocoagulation are those patients whose lesions are small, easily visualized, mobile, and well differentiated.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

A comparative study of electrocoagulation and tubal rings for tubal occlusion at laparoscopy.

The surgical and early postoperative complications and complaints associated with laparoscopic sterilization using electrocoagulation or tubal rings for tubal occlusion were evaluated in a comparative study. Procedures were randomly assigned to subjects (electrocoagulation to 151 subjects and tubal rings to 148 subjects). Difficulties in carrying out the sterillization procedures occurred more frequently when tubal rings were used (6.1%) than when electrocoagulation was used (2.0%). Rates of complications occurring at the time of surgery were similar for the two procedures. However, one patient in the electrocoagulation group had a bowel burn. Postoperative pelvic and abdominal pain were reported by a significantly higher proportion of the tubal ring cases (32.0%) than electrocoagulation cases (19.4%). It appears that although the incidence of surgical difficulties and pain may be somewhat more frequent with the tubal ring, the avoidance of such potentially serious complications as bowel burns may make femal sterilization by the tubal ring method preferable.

Electrocoagulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized comparative study of laser photocoagulation, heater probe, and bipolar electrocoagulation in the treatment of actively bleeding ulcers.

A randomized study was performed to compare the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser, heater probe, and bipolar electrocoagulation in the treatment of active bleeding from peptic ulcers. Nine hundred and forty-eight consecutive patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding underwent endoscopy and 91 patients with active bleeding from peptic ulcer were randomized to receive laser (N = 30), heater probe (N = 31), and bipolar electrocoagulation (N = 30). The angulation of the probe to the ulcer base was assessed at endoscopy. The three treatment groups were comparable in their clinical and endoscopic characteristics. There was no significant difference among patients treated with laser, heater probe, and bipolar electrocoagulation in the rate of re-bleeding (10%, 19.4%, and 10%), duration of hospital stay (4, 4, and 5 days), and proportion requiring emergency surgery (7%, 13%, and 7%), but the cost per patient was higher with laser than heater probe and bipolar electrocoagulation. The angulation of the probe to the ulcer base did not affect the re-bleeding rate. No complication was reported. We conclude that the three modalities were equally effective and safe in endoscopic hemostasis but because bipolar electrocoagulation and heater probe were cheaper, they were recommended for use.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Successful reversal of Barrett's esophagus with multipolar electrocoagulation despite inadequate acid suppression.

BACKGROUND: Barrett's epithelium is a risk factor for esophageal cancer. In this study we attempted to reverse Barrett's epithelium in an acid-reduced environment by using multipolar electrocoagulation. METHODS: All patients had specialized columnar epithelium of at least 2 cm in length. Patients with dysplasia on successive screening examinations were excluded. Esophageal motility and 24-hour pH studies were performed before therapy and at 9 and 18 weeks. All patients received lansoprazole 30 mg twice a day regardless of pH study results. Multipolar electrocoagulation was applied to one side of the esophagus (2 to 3 cm per session) with the contralateral side serving as control. Biopsies were obtained from each 2 cm length at each endoscopy and reviewed by a single, blinded pathologist. At the 9-week evaluation of the treatment side, all patients elected to undergo multipolar electrocoagulation therapy for the control side. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients completed the study: 21 men and 6 women, ages 33 to 81 years, length of specialized columnar epithelium 2 to 10 cm. Endoscopy at the 18-week follow-up showed normal mucosa (n = 16), residual small (< 3 mm) islands or tongue-shaped extensions of apparent specialized columnar epithelium (n = 7), untreated distal strips (< 5 mm) of apparent specialized columnar epithelium at the gastroesophageal junction (n = 3), and persistent specialized columnar epithelium (n = 1). Histologically, only 5 of 27 patients had residual specialized columnar epithelium at week 18. Of 16 patients with a normal endoscopic appearance, one still had specialized columnar epithelium on biopsy. While on lansoprazole, pH studies were normal in 15 of 26 patients at 9 weeks. Of 22 patients with histologic evidence of specialized columnar epithelium reversal, 10 had persistently abnormal 24-hour pH studies (pH < 4, 6.1% to 33.7% of total time). Four of five patients with residual specialized columnar epithelium on biopsy had persistent reflux. Side effects of multipolar electrocoagulation were transient, and treatment did not adversely alter motility patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Multipolar electrocoagulation therapy can induce re-epithelialization with normal squamous mucosa in most patients with specialized columnar epithelium and does not adversely affect esophageal motility. Adequate acid suppression is not mandatory for therapy to be effective in the short term.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Experimental evaluation of the optimal in-vitro conditions for bipolar electrocoagulation in the bile duct.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Although there have been many reports concerning the therapeutic use and potential of laser and monopolar electrocoagulation therapy, little has been published on the effects of bipolar electrocoagulation on biliary tissue. Although it has been reported that endoscopic recanalization of malignant stent obstruction using bipolar electrocoagulation is an advantageous form of treatment, the optimal parameters for this type of treatment have not yet been determined. The purpose of this prospective study was therefore to evaluate, under in-vitro conditions, the maximum applicable energy required; the influence of probe angle and duration time on the extent of the coagulation achieved; and whether multiple intermittent short pulses show any significant differences in the extent of coagulation achieved, in comparison with the use of a single continuous pulse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this in-vitro study, experiments were carried out in 84 common bile ducts from freshly slaughtered swine. The extension of tissue injury after electrocoagulation treatment was measured at 60 combinations of varying levels of power output, probe angles, duration times, and pulse patterns. All of the results were correlated with the diameter of the untreated and normal bile duct walls under in-vitro conditions. RESULTS: When energy was applied at levels up to a maximum of 16 J, the extension of tissue coagulation was about 58% of the untreated bile duct wall diameter. Energy settings exceeding 16 J involved the whole wall diameter in most cases, often including the periductal fatty tissue. Additional energy applications higher than 16 J, 32 J, and 100 J, showed undesirable tissue changes, such as an increasing diameter in the treated bile duct walls of up to 56.8% of the wall diameter of control specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The study evaluated the standard settings in an in-vitro model. The results indicate that protective and effective use of bipolar electrocoagulation on normal porcine bile duct tissue requires: the use of a low power setting (less than 16 J); the use of continuous short pulse patterns; placement of the probe tip at an obtuse angle (0 degree); and the use of short application times.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Does bipolar electrocoagulation time affect vessel weld strength?

The value of the bipolar electrocoagulator in the haemostasis of bleeding ulcers is controversial. We have therefore investigated the effect of different coagulation times on vessel weld strength achieved by the bipolar device. Welds were then made in vessels of known diameter using a standard 10F endoscopic haemostatic probe at coagulation times of two and 20 seconds. The intravascular temperature achieved at each time was measured. Vessel weld strength achieved by bipolar electrocoagulation was much greater at 20 seconds (approximately twice that at two seconds) and was highly significantly greater at all vessel diameters. There was a gradual reduction in weld strength with increasing vessel diameter, an effect that was seen for both two and 20 seconds of electrocoagulation. Intravascular temperature was significantly higher at 20 seconds than at two seconds. We conclude that vessel weld strength is related to coagulation time and that any future studies comparing the bipolar electrocoagulator with other haemostatic devices should use longer periods of bipolar electrocoagulation and record the coagulation time in order to optimise the clinical value of the device.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Multipolar electrocoagulation in the treatment of peptic ulcers with nonbleeding visible vessels. A prospective, controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of treatment with endoscopic multipolar electrocoagulation in patients who have ulcers with nonbleeding visible vessels. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, sham-controlled trial; patients were followed until their discharge from the hospital. SETTING: Urban, nonreferral county hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive sample of 75 patients who had a bloody nasogastric aspirate sample, melena, or hematochezia; unstable vital signs, a transfusion of at least two units of blood in 12 hours, or a drop in the hematocrit of at least 0.06 in 12 hours; and endoscopic evidence of an ulcer with a nonbleeding visible vessel. INTERVENTION: Sham or real multipolar electrocoagulation at the time of diagnostic endoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the group receiving multipolar electrocoagulation showed marked improvement in the following variables; rebleeding (18% compared with 41%, P less than 0.05; difference, 23%; 95% CI, 3% to 43%); need for emergency surgery (8% compared with 30%, P less than 0.05; difference, 22%; CI, 5% to 39%); mean number of hospital days (4.3 +/- 0.4 compared with 6.2 +/- 0.7, P less than 0.05; difference, 1.9; CI, 0.4 to 3.4); and cost of hospitalization ($3790 +/- $410 compared with $5730 +/- $650, P less than 0.05; difference, $1940; CI, $400 to $3480). The mean transfusion requirement in the treatment group was 1.6 +/- 0.3 as compared with 3.0 +/- 0.6 units in the control group (P = 0.13; difference, 1.4; CI, 0 to 2.8). The overall mortality was extremely low: Only 1 (1%) of 75 patients died. Bleeding was induced in 7 (18%) of the 38 patients treated with electrocoagulation, and 1 patient required urgent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment with multipolar electrocoagulation is beneficial in patients who present with major upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and are found to have an ulcer with a nonbleeding visible vessel.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Endoscopic electrocoagulation of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Endoscopic electrocoagulation was performed on 40 occasions for 38 patients with bleeding gastrointestinal lesions. Cessation of bleeding was achieved in 95%. Fifteen gastric ulcers, 14 duodenal ulcers, six Mallory-Weiss tears, one gastric varix, one hemorrhagic antral gastritis, and one esophageal ulcer were successfully electrocoagulated. Three duodenal and three gastric ulcers rebled. One duodenal ulcer and one gastric ulcer were successfully reelectrocoagulated. Failure to stop bleeding by electrocoagulation occurred in one Mallory-Weiss tear and one duodenal ulcer. There was no morbidity nor mortality attributed to endoscopic electrocoagulation. A retrospective cost analysis showed that the cost of hospitalization was less in patients treated by electrocoagulation. Patients so treated were hospitalized for a shorter duration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Endoscopic bipolar electrocoagulation in gastroduodenal hemorrhage].

During a one year period (1988-1989), 40 consecutive patients were submitted to emergency gastroduodenoscopy because of severe gastroduodenal bleeding. Indications for emergency endoscopy were red or black haematemesis with melaena or melaena with signs of haemodynamic instability. Twenty-nine of the patients fulfilled the criteria for emergency surgery because of major bleeding and alterated circulation. Twenty-five with surgery demanding gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding and one with Dieulafoy's erosion, were treated with endoscopic bipolar electrocoagulation. Primary haemostasis was achieved in 20 patients (80 per cent). Definitive haemostasis was obtained in 11 patients (44 per cent) with major ulcer bleeding. Nine patients bled again after electrocoagulation, and seven of these underwent surgery. The mortality was 20 per cent (five patients). In eight patients with minor active bleeding or visible vessels, electrocoagulation resulted in 100 per cent definitive haemostasis. No complications attributable to the electrocoagulation were observed. Endoscopic haemostatic treatment with e.g. bipolar electrocoagulation should be the first treatment in patients with gastroduodenal bleeding as emergency operation can be avoided in approximately 50 per cent of the cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Bacterial transference during electrodesiccation and electrocoagulation.

Electrodesiccation and electrocoagulation are commonly used to control bleeding and destroy tissue. In certain outpatient settings, the clinician routinely uses one of these electrosurgical modalities on successive patients without sterilization or antisepsis of the treatment electrode tip. In controlled laboratory experiments using electrodesiccation and electrocoagulation, we investigated bacterial transference of Staphylococcus aureus from inoculated tissue to sterile electrode tips and from inoculated electrode tips to sterile tissue. With use on inoculated tissue, sterile electrode tips remained sterile after electrocoagulation but not after electrodesiccation. Bacterial transference from inoculated electrode tips to sterile tissue occurred with electrodesiccation but not with electrocoagulation. These results are consistent with bacterial destruction by electric current and suggest that bacterial transference via the treatment electrosurgery electrode from one patient to another is possible but much more probable during electrodesiccation than during electrocoagulation.

Animals↗