title: Bipolar radiofrequency plasma-mediated ablation of porcine nasal septal cartilage: a pilot investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objectives of this pilot study were to (1) determine whether bipolar radiofrequency plasma-mediated ablation (PMA) can efficiently remove nasal septal cartilage and (2) calculate the ablation rate as a function of device power, probe force, and translation velocity using ex vivo porcine tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specimens were secured to a linear translation stage and were subjected to varying translation velocities (4, 7, and 12 cm/s), probe forces (140, 200, and 225 g), and bipolar radiofrequency generator (Coblator ENTec power settings, 38-58, 77-115, and 129-193 Watts root mean squared. Specimen mass loss and depth of ablation were measured using an analytic balance and dissection microscope, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visual and microscopic inspection revealed little char. Mass loss increased with decreasing translation velocity and increasing generator setting. Increasing probe force also influenced mass loss and increased crater depth. Depth of ablation did not correlate with translation velocity or generator setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PMA effectively ablates nasal septal cartilage and may be able to reduce or contour cartilaginous deformities and framework structures in the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: University of California-San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Hong K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Roger L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Crumley
authors.forename: Brian J F
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride