Electrosurgery is among the most versatile tool used in clinical practice. This modality allows for the rapid and cost-effective treatment of myriad of lesions, both benign and malignant.
Electrosurgery is a procedure by which the tissue is removed or destroyed by electrical energy. This energy, usually in the form of high frequency alternating current, is converted to heat as a result of tissue resistance to its passage. The heat is generated in the tissues themselves and in marked contrast with electrocautery, the treatment electrode in electrosurgery remains cold throughout the procedure.
Pic: Electrosurgery Equipment
Many electrosurgical devices are presently available to practitioners and over the years have become increasingly sophisticated. With modern electrosurgery, several different electrical outputs, each with a particular waveform and use may be generated by a single apparatus.
Clinical application of the appropriate output can result in selective incision, excision, ablation or coagulation of tissues.
Procedures carried out using this equipment are:
- Electrodessication – For small lesions
- Electrofulguration – For larger lesions
- Electrolysis – Hair removal
- Electrocoagulation – To control bleeding
- Electrosection – Cutting tissues
Clinical Applications: Wide range of clinical conditions can be treated by this procedure:
- Skin Tags
- Small tumors on the face
- Angiomas
- Telangiectasias
- Warts – filiform and plane
- Seborroeic keratosis
- Syringoma etc.
For tiny lesions, local anesthesia is not required, however larger lesions may require local anesthesia.
Post treatment care includes washing with soap and water and then applying antibiotic ointment. The wound produced by electrosurgery heals by secondary intention and healing time depends on the size, depth and amount of tissue destruction.
Skin Lesions Before and After Electro Surgery
