The use of energy-based devices in the field of veterinary surgery has seen a significant increase over the past number of years. With the introduction of any new piece of equipment there is sometimes a lack of really adequate instruction regarding it’s most efficacious use. This situation may also apply to the use of electrosurgical units (ESUs) for veterinary applications.
To address this situation, Colby Burns, DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR, has kindly provided some guidelines for use of the Bovie Aaron 1250V Electrosurgical Unit in animals that we hope will be helpful. Here are her recommendations. (As with any piece of equipment, the following is offered as a guideline only, recognizing that variations may occur which would have to be addressed individually.)
POWER SETTINGS
Skin Surgery for Dogs and Cats
Canines - For small to medium sized dogs a power setting of 15 to 20 watts should be appropriate, using a non-coated electrode. For larger dogs, using a coated electrode, a power setting of 20 to 25 watts would be more appropriate. This should apply equally to both the Blend and Cut Only modalities.
Felines - For most domestic cats a power setting of 10 watts using non-coated electrodes or 15 watts with coated electrodes should be acceptable with no significant change whether using Blend or Cut Only modalities.
Fascia Surgery
Canines - 15 watts of power should be appropriate
Felines - 10 watts of power should be all that is needed
Oral Mucosa Surgery - Uncoated Pin Point Needle Tips only
Canines - Use 10 watts
Felines - Use 5 to 10 watts
Urinary bladder Surgery - (serosa through mucosa)
For both canines and felines - Use 10-15 watts; depending on the degree of cystitis or thickening of the bladder wall
Parathyroidectomy
Canines - Use 10 watts with an uncoated, fine point electrode tip
Muscle Dissection
The power setting will depend on the thickness of the muscle involved - (these settings are based primarily on amputation; however for thoracotomy, for example, it would be the lower end of the settings as you are basically going through one layer of muscle at a time)
Canines - 15 to 25 watts
Felines - 10 to 15 watts
All of these settings can be applied specifically to each procedure, i.e.
- Ovariohysterectomy - use canine - Skin (15 to 25 watts)
- Fascia (or linea alba) would be 15 watts for dogs and 10 watts for cats
- Castration - use canine - Skin (15 to 25 watts)
- Fascia (spermatic) 10 to 15 watts, since this fascia is thinner compared to the linea alba
- Declawing - use fascia (dogs, 15 watts; cats, 10 watts)
RETURN PAD (Metal Plate)
The patient return pad is a grounding plate and ensures that the electrical energy makes a complete circuit back to the power generator of the ESU. Not having the return plate properly connected to the patient may cause the ESU to operate improperly and can also subject the patient to the possibility of electrical burns.
It should go without saying, but let’s say it anyway, be sure to use the metal plate patient return pad, and be sure that there is good contact to the patient using the proper electrode gel (not ultrasound gel). The skin is a poor conductor of electricity. Therefore, a conductive interface material is necessary to reduce impedance at the junction between the skin and the plate. Without this interface, high impedance may reduce the amount of current and the skin may be burned. Applying electrode gel will reduce impedance at the junction of the skin and plate. Too little gel or incomplete coverage can increase the likelihood of burns, while excessive or stray gel can allow the electrical current to arc (which may also cause burns). Any area of the disposable electrode not in direct contact with the skin has increased resistance, which may cause a burn and less current.
Bovie Medical would like to thank Dr. Burns for her input and assistance. We want to do what we can to assure that our customers and their patients get the benefit of the best use of our products. We also invite our veterinary colleagues to view our Veterinary Product Catalog.
