Diathermy In Surgery

Diathermy In Surgery

Write short note on diathermy.

Answer. It is also known as electrocautery
It is the method to control bleeding or to cut the tissues during surgery

Diathermy Types

• Based on type of current used:
  • Unipolar cautery
  • Bipolar cautery.
• Based on type of action:
  • Coagulation cautery
  • Cutting cautery
  • Blended current: Combination both coagulation and cutting cautery.

Diathermy Uses

• For coagulation of bleeding during surgery to achieve hemostasis.
• For cutting muscles, fascia, etc.
• For laparoscopic surgical procedures.
• To remove small cutaneous lesions.

Diathermy Disadvantages

• It leads to infection.
• For the cauterization of normal tissues.
• It has problem of explosion.
• It can cause diathermy burn to the patient at the site where diathermy plate is used.
• It can cause burn injury or electrical shock to surgeon and assisting personnel.