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Selecting the Power Setting
5-4
Force FX Electrosurgical Generator C User’s Guide
Techniques for Keeping Power Settings Low
The power setting required to produce the desired surgical effect varies depending on the
surgeon’s technique, the selected mode, and the size of the active electrode. Low power
settings reduce the amount of current delivered to the patient, minimize the demand on
the patient return electrode, and help protect the patient and surgical team from
accidental burns and shocks.
The following are techniques for keeping power settings low.
Concentrating the current by using a small active electrode
The smaller the active electrode, the higher the current density it delivers to tissue, and
the less power it requires to produce the same surgical effect. For example, a needle
electrode cuts at a lower power setting than a blade electrode. A small ball electrode
desiccates or fulgurates tissue at a lower power setting than a large ball electrode.
Coagulating tissue by using fulguration rather than desiccation
Because fulguration sparks to a wider area of tissue, surface coagulation can be achieved
with a lower power setting using Fulgurate rather than Desiccate.
Cutting by sparking rather than by desiccating tissue
Cut produces continuous sparks that cut cleanly and quickly when the active electrode is
held just above the tissue and kept in motion. Placing the active electrode in contact with
the tissue produces desiccation that increases tissue resistance. A higher power setting
may be required to overcome the increased resistance.
Using bipolar surgery
Bipolar surgery requires lower power because the amount of tissue included in the
electrosurgical circuit is limited to the tissue that is grasped by the bipolar instrument.
Summary of Contents for Force FX-C
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