Radiowave Surgery
What is it? Radio waves, set at a particular frequency and/or wavelength, are used to lacerate tissue (divides tissue fibers) all while cauterizing. An electrode is used as a conductor to cut through the tissue with the waves. “Radio frequency machines convert alternating current to direct current, which then passes through a coil or rectifier to generate a radio wave. The radio waves then pass through a high-frequency waveform adapter to modify the radio wave's shape and amplitude. The radio waves are transferred from the electrode tip to the patient.”
Types Depends on the type of surgery or tissue one is cutting.
“Small-diameter electrodes require lower power settings and produce less lateral heating of tissue adjacent to the incision.” Smaller conductor creates a more concentrated line of waves for a more precise incision and emitting less heat to surrounding tissue results in less unwanted damage.
“Thinner-wire electrodes...are generally used to incise skin.” They have a shorter amount of exposed wire so generate a shorter cut. The more wire exposed: the deeper the cut (just like knives).
“Large-diameter electrodes require higher power settings and produce more lateral heat. Large-diameter electrodes are ideal for subcutaneous dissection because lateral heat is useful for hemostasis.” With more heat being distributed to the surrounding tissue, any cut vessels should be cauterized to lessen hemorrhaging and time as the surgeon doesn’t have to spend their time tying the vessels off.
“Loop electrodes are especially useful for removing small skin masses” such as distichia and ectopic cilia. There are more specialized types for more specialized procedures.
Waveform Types
Continuous: continuous wave being produced
smooth cut; like a blade
least amount of lateral hea
tcombined with fine-wire, incision is similar to scalpel
Modulated Waveform: small pulse inserted
Fully or partially
better for subcutaneous cuts (think serrated knife)
increased lateral heat (decreased hemorrhage
partially includes “intermittent transmission of high-frequency waves increasing lateral heat”
Fulguration “Spark-Gap” Waveform: dehydrates tissue that comes in contact (vaporization of organic material)
tissue damage limited by carbonized tissue, air space, electrode movement
only if okay with scar tissue
Things to Keep in Mind While Using
The longer the electrode is kept in contact with the skin, the more heat is transmitted to surrounding tissue. Different tissue requires different types of electrodes: thicker tissue will require more power, such as the large-diameter electrode. “Insufficient power causes lateral accumulation of heat because of drag. Drag from an improperly powered electrode tends to increase hemorrhage because tissue is torn rather than cut. Likewise, excessive power results in excessive lateral heat because of sparking.”
The frequency corresponds to how concentrated the radiowave is i.e. the lateral heat and “accurate application of energy.” Ideal frequency is 4MHz. High frequencies create more surrounding tissue damage.
“The passive electrode is the antenna that receives radio waves emitted from the active electrode and returns the energy to the machine. Unlike an electrocautery unit, the passive electrode is not a grounding terminal, so it does not have to be in direct contact with the skin and does not require conductive gels. Placing the passive electrode close to the surgical area decreases the power required to cut tissue, reducing the possibility of lateral thermal damage. The interaction between the passive and active electrodes is similar to that of your car radio in that the radio (passive electrode) has a clearer signal when you are closer to the transmitter (active electrode)”
Tissue type: increasing tension of tissue helps with ability to cut through
Type of Instrument: “blade length is directly proportional to the ease with which a surgeon makes a straight incision but inversely proportional to the ease tissue is incised along contours”
Sources: DVM360
**If there is any error in my paraphrasing, please let me know, and if you’ve used one of these, please add comments on it’s use.**











