Loop electrosurgical excision in the peritoneal cavity. Preliminary experience with the rat model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a monopolar electrosurgical loop electrode designed for use at laparoscopy.


METHODS
A pilot, observational study of cutting effectiveness followed by a nonrandomized comparative study of thermal injury associated with the loop electrode and CO2 vaporization in the rat model. The observer evaluating thermal injury was blind to the energy source used.


RESULTS
The loops cut most effectively with a continuous, sinusoidal, radiofrequency output at 40 W. The depth of coagulative necrosis was similar in the laser vaporization and loop excision groups of lesions when using outputs and power densities commonly attainable at laparoscopy. There was more necrotic debris in the lasered lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
While a randomized comparison will be necessary to clarify these results, electrosurgical loop electrodes seem to have a role in a number of gynecologic laparoscopic procedures.
Munro
M G
MG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90095-1740, USA.
Fu
Y S
YS
D000818:Animals; D004566:Electrodes; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D020706:Laparoscopes; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014599:Uterus / Q000601:surgery