A comparison of the ERBE Erbotom ICC 200 generator and the Valleylab Force 2 electrosurgical generator in performing large loop excision of the transformation zone.
One drawback of the large loop excision of the transformation zone procedure (LLETZ) is the influence of electrical current on histological interpretation through thermal artefact. The ERBE Erbotom ICC 200 unit (Surgical Technology Group, Hampshire, England, UK) compared to other standard electrosurgical generators has the theoretical advantage that it automatically regulates the output according to "demand" and therefore uses the minimum amount of power to complete the procedure, which thus should cause the minimum thermal artefact. Fifty females requiring the loop procedure were randomized to treatment with either the ERBE machine or the standard Valleylab electrosurgical generator. Although there were no significant differences in the diathermy artefact measurements between the two groups, the Valleylab unit was associated with more mucosal destruction or removal (P = 0.027) and an increased number of specimens uninterpretable due to diathermy artefact. The new technology associated with the ERBE unit had clear benefits for the clinician in terms of the time of the procedure and technical problems.
Department of Colposcopy and Department of Histopathology, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
D.
D
Nunns
W.
W
Yates
C.
C
Stanbridge
S.
S
Lee