Radio Frequency Cautery

The technique of radiosurgery involves the passage of high-frequency radio waves (2MHz)through soft tissue to cut, coagulate or remove the tissue. The Soft tissue has low resistance. So these radio waves causes the cellular water in to heat, which produces steam. This results in cellular molecular dissolution of individual tissue cells. Thus vaporizing the tissue cellular water and dividing the tissues. The surgeon uses a hand piece with an active electrode (different type of electrode for different applications) to transmit the radio waves are focussed on the tissue by the patient plate that is positioned behind the tissue in contact with patient’s skin.

Radio frequency cautery is different from electro surgery machine (surgical diathermy) or spark gap circuity unit (electro-cautery) and uses completely new technique compared with scalpel surgery and other techniques and radio energy does the cutting very light. The process involves the use of a very high frequency radio waves ranging from 0.25 to 2 MHz And fine needle or wire loop electrode with hand piece held by the surgeon; Radio energy is passed between this cautery electrode and patient plate.

Radio Surgery in general practice has many advantages over conventional surgical techniques, particularly dermatological, plastic and eyelid surgery, ENT and dental.

Radio surgery has quicker operating time, rapid tissue damage and less post-operative discomfort have been observed and its wider use in hospital practice is recommended.