Types of Diathermy/Cautery in Surgery

Types of Diathermy/Cautery

Two electrodes-Bipolar  (Left) and Single electrode- Monopolar (Right)

Bipolar Cautery in Use

Two types of Diathermy are Monopolar  and  Bipolar Diathermy

In surgery diathermy is used for coagulation and cutting of tissues. Lateral conduction and tissue damage is more for coagulative  mode and lateral conduction and tissue damage is minimal for cutting mode.

These are used in open surgery as well as in endoscopic surgery.

Difference between Monopolar  and  Bipolar Diathermy

In Monopolar Diathermy the patient is a part of the diathermy circuit. Of  the two electrodes one electrode is active ( cautery tip) and  the other electrode is indifferent( cautery plate/Patient plate). As the surface area of contact is  less in the cautery tip, it produces more heat at the operative site.

Whereas in Bipolar Diathermy only the tissue which is held between the two electrodes becomes the part of the circuit.

Contra indications of using cautery :-Contra indications of using cautery are patient with Pacemaker implant.

Harmonic scalpel is ideal in such patient with Pacemaker implant, for cutting and coagulation of tissues. Harmonic scalpel is based on the principle of ultrasound .