High-frequency electrosurgical units, as indispensable medical devices in modern surgical procedures, utilize high-frequency electrical currents to achieve tissue cutting and coagulation functions, significantly enhancing surgical efficiency while reducing intraoperative bleeding. However, improper operation may pose safety risks. Simon Medical will provide standardized guidelines for medical staff from the following aspects: usage protocols, key operational considerations, and medical personnel requirements.

 

I. Usage Protocols
Preoperative Preparation

Device Inspection: Ensure proper connections of the main unit, foot pedal, and electrode cables; verify the power supply is functioning properly; inspect disposable electrode pads for integrity.

Environmental Safety: Remove flammable materials (e.g., alcohol-soaked cotton balls) near the surgical bed; ensure the operating table is dry and the patient is insulated from metallic surfaces.

Electrode Pad Placement

Site Selection:

Apply electrode pads to muscle-dense areas near the surgical site (e.g., thigh, buttock) after shaving the area; ensure firm adhesion and a contact area ≥100 cm².

Precautions:

Avoid placement near bony prominences or scar tissue to prevent current concentration and thermal injury.

Parameter Settings

Mode Selection:

Choose operating modes (Cutting/Coagulation) based on surgical type and tissue characteristics.

Initial Power Recommendations:

Cutting Mode: 40-60W (Note: Power output of Simon Medical high-frequency electrosurgical units is adjustable in real time).

Coagulation Mode: 60-80W, adhering to the "low-to-high" principle for incremental adjustment.

Special Considerations:

Reduce power output for pediatric or debilitated patients to avoid excessive tissue damage.

Operational Testing

Pre-activation Check:

Perform a brief activation using moist gauze or a dedicated test probe to verify device functionality.

Verification Criteria:

Observe spark intensity and auditory feedback for normal operation;

Confirm absence of alarm signals or system abnormalities.

Postoperative Procedures

Device Shutdown:

Power off the device, remove electrode pads, and inspect the patient's skin condition for signs of electrical burns or complications.

Equipment Maintenance:

Clean the cutting tip thoroughly, sterilize it, and store appropriately for future use;

Return the main unit to its designated storage location and document operational parameters for traceability.

 

II. Key Operational Guidelines and Risk Mitigation
Safety First

Fire Hazard Prevention:

Strictly prohibit use in environments with flammable substances (e.g., alcohol). Electrosurgical sparks may ignite explosive vapors.

Patient Safety Protocols:

Ensure complete insulation between the patient and metallic surfaces to prevent current diversion burns;

Never reuse disposable return electrodes or reposition detached pads during procedures.

 

Power Adjustment Principles

Gradual Increment Protocol:

Always initiate at the lowest effective power and incrementally increase following the "low-to-high" principle to minimize thermal tissue damage.

Special Tissue Considerations:

Increase power appropriately when operating in deep tissues or fluid-rich environments (e.g., abdominal cavity) to maintain efficacy.

Intraoperative Monitoring

Device Alert Response:

Immediately suspend operation upon triggering of alarms (e.g., poor contact, power overload) and conduct systematic troubleshooting.

Patient Response Assessment:

Cease activation immediately if abnormal muscle fasciculations or cutaneous erythema occur; verify circuit integrity and electrode contact.

 

Special Population Considerations

1. Absolute Contraindications

Cardiac Pacemaker Patients:

High-frequency electrosurgery is strictly contraindicated in patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers. Electrosurgical currents may:
○ Disrupt pacemaker function;
○ Induce myocardial injury via pacemaker lead thermal transfer;
○ Potentially trigger ventricular fibrillation.

2. Metallic Implant Precautions

For patients with retained/prosthetic metallic objects (e.g., shrapnel, orthopedic hardware, joint replacements, stents):

Electrode Placement Strategy:
○ Position return electrodes to establish current pathways away from metallic implants;

Operational Modifications:
○ Utilize lower power settings;
○ Limit activation duration;
○ Enhance heat dissipation protocols to prevent eddy current-induced thermal injury.

3. Patient Positioning Requirements

Immobilize extremities to prevent contact between body parts with differential electrical potentials, particularly small-area contact points which may concentrate current density and cause burns.

4. Pediatric Population

Mandatory Use of pediatric-specific electrode pads with optimized contact geometry during infant/neonatal procedures.

III. Healthcare Personnel Requirements

1. Mandatory Training Standards

Qualification Prerequisite:

Operators must undergo comprehensive training demonstrating proficiency in:
○ Operational principles of high-frequency electrosurgical units;
○ Standardized protocols for device application and safety management.

2. New Device Implementation Protocol

Prior to using newly introduced electrosurgical models:

Mandatory Documentation Review:
○ Thoroughly study operation manuals and safety advisories issued by Simon Medical;

Preclinical Validation:
○ Conduct full-functional testing in non-clinical settings to verify performance parameters and alarm responsiveness.

 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

Insulated Gloves:

Wear high-integrity rubber gloves with certified dielectric properties during all procedures.

Footwear Specifications:

Use dry, thick-soled footwear demonstrating verified electrical resistance to maintain grounding isolation.

Operational Safety Objective:

Ensure continuous electrical isolation from both grounded surfaces and the electrosurgical unit to establish effective self-protection.

 

 

Summary
The clinical efficacy of high-frequency electrosurgical units (HF-ESU) is contingent upon strict adherence to standardized protocols and meticulous execution of operational details. Medical personnel must:

Maintain strict compliance with established procedures;

Exercise enhanced intraoperative vigilance;

Implement context-driven parameter optimization to achieve optimal surgical outcomes while maximizing patient safety.

Simon Medical strongly recommends:

Periodic preventive maintenance programs to ensure device reliability;

Mandatory operator competency training to mitigate clinical risks and maximize the therapeutic value of electrosurgical systems.

 

Contact for technical support: 138-2067-8142