WARNINGS:
Failure of the high frequency electrosurgical equipment could result in an unintended increase of
output power.
The instrument receptacles on this generator are designed to accept only one instrument at a
time. Do not attempt to connect more than one instrument at a time into a given receptacle. Doing
so will cause simultaneous activation of the instruments.
Use the lowest output setting necessary to achieve the desired surgical effect. Use the active
electrode only for the minimum time necessary in order to lessen the possibility of unintended
burn injury. Pediatric applications and/or procedures performed on small anatomic structures may
require reduced power settings. The higher the current flow, and the longer the current is applied,
the greater the possibility of unintended thermal damage to tissue, especially during use on small
structures.
Use electrosurgery with caution in the presence of internal or external pacemakers. Interference
produced by the use of electrosurgical devices can cause devices such as pacemakers to enter
an asynchronous mode or can block the pacemaker effect entirely. Consult the pacemaker
manufacturer or hospital Cardiology Department for further information when use of electrosurgical
appliances is planned for patients with cardiac pacemakers.
If the patient has an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), contact the ICD manufacturer for
instructions before performing an electrosurgical procedure. Electrosurgery may cause multiple
activation of ICDs.
Do not use electrosurgical equipment unless properly trained to use it in the specific procedure
being undertaken. Use by physicians without such training has resulted in serious, unintended
patient injury, including bowel perforation and unintended, irreversible tissue necrosis.
For surgical procedures where the high frequency current could flow through parts of the body
having a relatively small cross-sectional area, the use of bipolar techniques may be desirable to
avoid unwanted coagulation.
In some circumstances, potential exists for alternate site burns at points of skin contact (e.g.,
between the arm and the side of the body). This occurs when electrosurgical current seeks a path
to the return electrode that includes the skin-to-skin contact point. Current passing through small
skin-to-skin contact points is concentrated and may cause a burn. This is true for grounded,
ground referenced, and isolated output generators.
To reduce the potential for alternate site burns, do one or more of the following:
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact points, such as fingers touching leg, when positioning the patient.
• Place 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in.) of dry gauze between contact points to ensure that contact does
not occur.
• Position the return electrode to provide a direct current route between the surgical site and
the return electrode which avoids skin-to-skin contact areas.
• In addition, place patient return electrodes according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Potential for alternate site burns increases if the return electrode is compromised. Arthrex
recommends the use of split return electrodes and generators with a contact quality
monitoring system.
Do not wrap the accessory cords or return electrode cords around metal objects. This may induce
currents that could lead to shocks, fires, or injury to the patient or surgical team.
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User ’s Guide • O.P.E.S. Electrosurgical Generator