The role of thermal feedback in electrosurgical tissue heating

Abstract

Thermal dependence of tissue resistivity was incorporated into a compartmental tissue model that predicted the interaction between power delivery from electrosurgical units (ESUs) and tissue heating. Simulations showed that as tissue resistance declines with heating, a positive feedback loop from tissue to generator is created that can promote alternate site burning. This study describes how the thermal behaviour of tissue resistance influences the output of microprocessor-controlled thermal generators, especially when used in the monopolar mode.