When it comes to planning the best course of action involving a patient, it is important to consider not only all the options, but the best ones suited to the operation or treatment being performed. As with any procedure, some of the greatest concerns revolve around the loss of blood and possibility of infection. These are two primary reasons to implement and utilize electrosurgical devices.
High-frequency electrosurgery provides a wealth of options to the surgeon in the form of electrosection, fulguration, desiccation, and coagulation. These approaches are well received in situations in which hemostasis and infection control are principle factors to be considered in patient outcome.
Unlike procedures in which a cold scalpel is used, there is an additional benefit to the tissues beyond the margins of the surgery that is effected by the effect of electrosurgery. These benefits can be seen as coagulation of the blood vessels and vaporization of infected cells. This is an especially appreciated preventative measure when dealing with malignant diseases such as basal cell carcinoma.
When dealing with a situation in which electrodesiccation and curettage is being applied, the surgeon can be confident in the ability to remove the desired clean margins, without fear of reaching into deeper tissue. The application of electrosurgical techniques will keep the treatment clean and minimize patient complications.
Laser surgery often offers the same type of heat induced tissue damage, however, the control and ability to customize the technique to the patients's condition can only be found in using electrosurgical devices. The use of laser devices is often associated with burns, and while the same is possible with the use of electrosurgical devices, it is usually a result of improper placement of the return pad or inadequate attention to the surgical field.
Treatment of both benign and malignant skin conditions with electrosurgery is indicated in some form for a wide variety of complaints. (Robinson, et al., Surgery of the Skin, Mosby, Elsevier; 2010)
Possibly one of the strongest reasons to argue for the use of electrosurgery when dealing with skin conditions can be found in the instance of recurrence. At one VA Hospital, the incidence of recurrence for basal cell carcinoma was a low 1.6 percent. (Mary-Margaret Chren, et al. Recurrence After Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study. Arch Dermatol. May 2011)
The ease of training and use of the devices are highlighted in an American Family Physician article of October, 2002, entitled, Electrosurgery for the Skin. The many applications of its use on skin in various areas is also supported. An electrosurgical generator will provide a physician with an open opportunity to provide better treatment with fewer complications in comparison to a scalpel or laser method.
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