Electrosurgical injuries can have severe consequences and often occur as a result of physician negligence. This article explores several simple methods for preventing such injuries.
Before entering the operating room, all jewelry, accessories, or implants must be removed from the patient.
Since an electrosurgical unit functions by directing electrical current into the patient's body, any metal attachments increase the risk of electrosurgical injury. For instance, metal implants-such as cardiac pacemakers-pose a significant hazard during surgery; the radiofrequency energy involved may cause them to heat up or deform, potentially resulting in burns.
Therefore, removing jewelry prior to surgery serves to minimize this risk. If, for any reason, a patient is unable to remove their jewelry, the surgeon should be informed in advance so they can determine the appropriate course of action. Furthermore, if the risk of injury is deemed excessively high, the surgical team may opt to employ alternative techniques.
Ensure the patient is not in contact with any metal objects.
Due to the presence of bioelectricity within the human body, contact with any metal object can cause the radiofrequency signal emitted by the electrosurgical handpiece to deviate unexpectedly. Consequently, it is imperative to ensure that the patient remains clear of any metal objects.
Conduct a pre-operative assessment of the patient to check for implanted electronic devices, metal accessories, or any items that could potentially come into contact with electrical currents.
Performing this assessment allows the surgeon to proceed with confidence and provides a clear understanding of the patient's condition, enabling better patient management and thereby minimizing the risk of injury.
Ensure that patient monitoring electrodes are correctly positioned.
When placing electrodes, avoid areas containing implants or scar tissue. Additionally, it is essential to thoroughly clean the application site and shave off any excess hair, as poor skin contact-often caused by hair or debris-is one of the most common causes of electrosurgical burns.
Never operate electrosurgical equipment while wearing wet gloves.
If gloves are punctured or compromised, they can conduct electricity, leading to electric shock or burns. Furthermore, it is recommended to change gloves periodically during the procedure to minimize the risk of intraoperative electric shock or burns.
