Histologic characteristics of electrosurgical injuries

Abstract

Study Objective. To describe the wide variation of histologic characteristics produced by electrosurgical burns. Design. Retrospective analysis. Setting. University-associated teaching hospital. Subjects. Pigs and dogs. Interventions. Various power settings were employed with both monopolar and bipolar electrodes to incur electrosurgical damage. Animals were followed for up to 96 hours after injury. Measurements and Main Results. Histologic analysis yielded characteristics of electrosurgical damage including areas of complete necrosis and coagulation, perivascular changes, endothelial damage, and hyperchromic pyknotic nuclei. White cell infiltration was seen only at the margin of necrotic zones of coagulation. Conclusion. The wide spectrum of histology from electrosurgical burns is primarily a result of the area that is sampled. Surgeons should actively investigate any postsurgical complications involving electrosurgery to obtain a definitive cause.