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The Electrosurgical Unit: Basic Principles for Practice

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Gynaecological Endoscopic Surgery

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Abstract

Electric current when passed through living tissue can produce thermal injury. This physical property is manipulated using electrosurgical units to produce very-high-frequency current. Such current is utilized in surgery to cause specific tissue effects like cutting and coagulation.

When instruments connected to such generators have only one active electrode, they are called monopolar instruments. In such instruments, a passive electrode is necessary to dissipate current flowing through the patient.

Bipolar instruments have two active electrodes but only the tissue between these electrodes is involved in the circuit. Current dissipation is unnecessary. Newer energy sources are currently being developed.

The electrosurgical unit is an important part of the theatre equipment. Understanding the principles of its usage is paramount for the surgeon in contemporary practice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gynaecology Endoscopy and Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

    Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu

  2. Gynaecology Endoscopy Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

    Chukwuemeka O. Ezeama

Authors
  1. Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu
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  2. Chukwuemeka O. Ezeama
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gynescope Specialist Hospital and Madonna University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Jude Ehiabhi Okohue

  2. Gynaecology Endoscopy and Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

    Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu

  3. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundat, Sheffield, UK

    Bolarinde Ola

  4. Reproductive Medicine, Kingston General Hospital, Kingstone upon Thames, UK

    Emmanuel Kalu

  5. Division of Gynecologic Oncology, York Hospital, York, PA, USA

    Okechukwu Ibeanu

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Ikechebelu, J.I., Ezeama, C.O. (2022). The Electrosurgical Unit: Basic Principles for Practice. In: Okohue, J.E., Ikechebelu, J.I., Ola, B., Kalu, E., Ibeanu, O. (eds) Gynaecological Endoscopic Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86768-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86768-3_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-86767-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-86768-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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