A Faísca Eletrocirúrgica como causa da Eletroestimulação e da Queimadura DC

Abstract

The Electrosurgery is the technique that with the help of high voltages at high frequencies promote incision (cut) and/or hemostasis (coagulation) during surgeries. Although it has more than a century of history, many of its aspects do not have an adequate scientific explanation. For instance, undesirable electrostimulation and DC burns that eventually occurs during surgery do not have a proper explanation, so that it is difficult to minimize theses effects. In this paper it is demonstrated that whenever an electrosurgical spark is generated between the active electrode and the biological tissue a DC voltage (as higher as 180 V) is formed on the output circuit, which may explain electrostimulation and DC burns. Experimental results are also provided.