High Frequency Current Effects During Transurethral Resection

Abstract

Transurethral resection has been simulated electrically to detect the current pathways and locations of heat production inside the patient. Different electrical behavior was noted with instruments using electrically insulated or metal sheaths. Conductive lubricating jelly should be used with the metal sheath and non-conducting jelly should be used with the insulated sheath.

Stray Radiofrequency Current as a Cause of Urethral Strictures after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

“…15 Complications related to capacitance have also been described during laparoscopic procedures, where the design of the electrosurgical instruments is very similar to that of resectoscopes for transurethral surgery. 15 Flachenecker and Fastenmeier 16,17 have analyzed in vitro current dispersion, attempting to elucidate the cause of accidental injuries related to transurethral electroresection, such as skin burns, muscle stimulation, and urethral strictures. Based on in vivo measurements, Kay 19 reported that TURP is a safe SOFER ET AL.…”

“…Finally, conductive gels smeared uniformly and generously maintain a large contact area, permitting uniform current dispersion along the urethra, avoiding development of high power density. 17,18 …”

Integration and utilization of modern technologies in nephrolithiasis research

“…Before the availability of this technology, older-generation fibre-optic ureteroscopes were used, which process optical images from a lens located at the distal tip of the instrument followed by relaying of the image through the instrument to a camera head, where it is processed and projected onto a video monitor. The numerous interfaces and cables required for this process introduce the potential for interference and distortion of the image 25 . Newer-generation digital ureteroscopes, however, feature CCD and/or CMOS chips on the tip of the endoscope, which enable immediate digitization of the image and direct transmission to a video display, therefore eliminating the interfaces at which a loss of image quality most commonly occurs 26 .…”

Intraurethral Lubricants: A Critical Literature Review and Recommendations

“…The importance of gel electrical conductivity to prevent urethral stenosis during transurethral resection was first reported by Flachenecker and associates 22 Investigators found that when the conductivity of the gel is equal to or higher than that of the urethra, the dispersion of current between the surface of the resection instrument and urethra is uniform and the current density is low. In cases of low conductivity gel (insulator), electrical current is concentrated in a few points along the sheath where the amount of gel is low or absent, damaging the tissue and causing scar formation.…”