W
a
rnings and Pr
ecautions for
Patient and Operating Room
Safety
Valleylab FT10 Energy Platform User’s Guide
2-9
Warnings and Precautions for Monopolar Procedures
Warnings and Precautions for Monopolar
Procedures
Warning
Simultaneously activating suction/irrigation and electrosurgical current may result in increased
arcing at the electrode tip, burns to unintended tissues, or shocks and burns to the surgical team.
Power output of a two- or three-button pencil (CUT and COAG selections) can change during use
when another foot pedal is pressed.
Some surgeons may elect to “buzz the hemostat” during surgical procedures. It is not
recommended, and the hazards of such a practice probably cannot be eliminated. Burns to the
surgeon’s hands are possible. To minimize the risk take these precautions:
•
Do not buzz the hemostat with a needle electrode.
•
Do not lean on the patient, the table, or the retractors while buzzing the hemostat.
•
Activate CUT rather than COAG. CUT has a lower voltage than COAG.
•
Firmly grasp as much of the hemostat as possible before activating the energy platform. This
disperses the current over a larger area and minimizes the current concentration at the finger
tips.
•
Buzz the hemostat below hand level (as close as possible to the patient) to reduce the
opportunity for current to follow alternate paths through the surgeon’s hands.
•
Use the lowest power setting possible for the minimum time necessary to achieve hemostasis.
•
Activate the energy platform after the instrument makes contact with the hemostat. Do not
arc to the hemostat.
•
When using a coated- or nonstick-blade electrode, place the edge of the electrode against the
hemostat or other metal instrument.
DEMO mode delivers monopolar energy without the use of a patient return electrode, and is
intended for demonstration purposes only. Chance of burns to the patient significantly increase
when DEMO mode is used for clinical procedures.
Precaution
To provide expected functionality from a hand piece, proper insertion is required. Refer to the
orientation drawing near the receptacles for proper insertion orientation.
