title: Fundamentals of bipolar high-frequency surgery.
abstract: In endoscopic surgery a very precise surgical dissection technique and an efficient hemostasis are of decisive importance. The bipolar technique may be regarded as a method which satisfies both requirements, especially regarding a high safety standard in application. In this context the biophysical and technical fundamentals of this method, which have been known in principle for a long time, are described with regard to the special demands of a newly developed field of modern surgery. After classification of this method into a general and a quasi-bipolar mode, various technological solutions of specific bipolar probes, in a strict and in a generalized sense, are characterized in terms of indication. Experimental results obtained with different bipolar instruments and probes are given. The application of modern microprocessor-controlled high-frequency surgery equipment and, wherever necessary, the integration of additional ancillary technology into the specialized bipolar instruments may result in most useful and efficient tools of a key technology in endoscopic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Fachhochschule Koeln, Research Department of Medical Engineering/HLT, Germany.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Reidenbach
mesh_terms: D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004566:Electrodes; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D013499:Surface Properties