Cutting Techniques; Criteria Of A Good Cutting Technique; Coagulating - Cooper Surgical LEEP PRECISION LP-20-120 Manual De Funcionamiento

8.3 Cutting Techniques

When cutting, ALWAYS activate the electrode by stepping on the Foot Switch or pressing the yellow button on the
Active Electrode (Pencil) BEFORE making contact with the tissue .
Plan the stroke . Before activating the electrode, take one or two practice strokes to be sure you can complete the
planned stroke comfortably and correctly . At this time you can evaluate the size and shape of the electrode and
the speed and depth of the stroke .
When the practice stroke is comfortable, step on the Foot Switch or press the yellow button on the Active Elec-
trode (Pencil) and make the planned cut .
Use a smooth brushing motion without pressure . The electrode should pass through the tissue, WITHOUT DRAG-
GING, at a deliberate but not slow speed .
Keep the electrode moving . Prolonged contact with any one part of the tissue can create excessive coagulation .
8.3.1 Cutting
Blend: Cutting is done not by the electrode, but by the high frequency energy concentrated at the electrode's
tip . This high frequency energy generates molecular heat in each cell to the point at which the fluids in the cell
vaporize and the cell explodes . By applying this energy to individual cells in sequence, that is, by moving the
electrode continuously through the tissue, the line of destruction is limited and the cutting effect is realized . At
the same time, the capillaries are sealed, resulting in almost bloodless cutting, hence the term "blended cut ."
Pure cut: This is almost like using a cold scalpel with very little or no hemostasis .

8.4 Criteria of a Good Cutting Technique

There are three criteria of a good cutting technique:
1 . The electrode should "float" through the tissue without dragging or resistance .
2 . There should be only very slight, if any, change in the tissue color due to dehydration or charring .
3 . No tissue shreds should adhere to the electrode .

8.5 Coagulating

The LEEP PRECISION Generator is designed for high fulguration so tissue bleeders can be sealed
without burning the uninvolved tissue . Coagulation takes place when the high frequency current is applied to the
tissue with a current density sufficiently concentrated to dehydrate the cells and coagulate their organic contents,
but without penetrating deeply into the tissue .
This procedure is almost self-limiting because the surface coagulation first created protects the underlying tissue
against excessive depth of coagulation .
Coagulation appears as a white spot on the surface of the tissue, emanating from the point of contact to the Ball
Electrode . The depth of coagulation is approximately equal to the lateral spread of coagulation .
In contrast to cutting, when coagulating, the Ball Electrode should make contact with the tissue before the
physician depresses the Foot Switch or Hand Switch .
Start with a LOW power setting (15), changing the mode button to COAG .
Make light contact the surface of the tissue with the Ball Electrode . Depress the Foot Switch or Hand Switch to
activate the current, coagulating the area for several seconds, then release the Foot Switch or Hand Switch and
remove the electrode from the tissue .
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