Diathermy in surgery
Gerner, T.; Fensli, R.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 109(1): 53-55
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 2911816 Document Number: 335200
Unskilled handling of surgical diathermia units exposes patients, operators and assistants to unnecessary risks. This article briefly reviews the equipment's technical potential, possible risks of complication, and how risk factors can be eliminated by proper handling. Important issues are risk of local accidental burns and of unintended stimulation of muscles and nerves, precautions when treating patients with a pacemaker or metallic implant, and specific problems connected to endoscopy.