title: The use and maintenance of instruments for large loop excision of transformation zone at Ramathibodi Hospital.
abstract: The average use of LLETZ in Ramathibodi Hospital from 1993 to 1998 was 73.3 cases per year (range 26-116 cases). The endocervical box (F2) loop electrode was the most frequently damaged at the rate of 4 pieces per 100 procedures. The damage rate of the 25 mm loop electrode was 3 pieces per 100 procedures and 20 mm loop electrode was 2 pieces per 100 procedures. The life of the instrument can be prolonged through proper care and continuous maintenance as well as by experienced operators and the assisting team.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bullangpoti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taechabunsermsak
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiratchai
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chaturachinda
mesh_terms: D003906:Developing Countries; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008283:Maintenance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013785:Thailand; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000601:surgery*