Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Alternating Current: Electrosurgery

  • Chapter
Physical Modalities in Dermatologic Therapy

Abstract

Electrosurgery should only refer to the removal or destruction of tissue by conversion of electric energy into heat through tissue resistance to the passage of high frequency alternating current. The terms cautery or electrocautery should not be used to describe such surgery. Electrosurgery results from surgical diathermy. Diathermy, in turn, involves the use of rapidly oscillating electric current to heat tissue; the word is derived from the Greek words dia and therme (“through heat”). Electrosurgical energy is so intense that the concentrating electrode will fulgurate, desiccate, coagulate, or cut integument and flesh. The degree of destruction depends on the wave form of the oscillations and the power of the electric current. Characteristics and uses of alternating current employed in medicine are summarized in Table 20-1.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Billin AG: Personal communication, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bouman HD, Lentzer EMG: The treatment of hyperhidrosis of hands and feet with constant current. Am J Phys Med 31: 158, 1952

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bovie WT: Cited in McClean AJ: Characteristics of adequate electrosurgical current. Am J Surg 18: 417, 1932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Burdick KH: Electrocautery of minor skin lesions. In Epstein E (ed): Skin Surgery. Springfield, I11, Thomas, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  5. Burdick KH: Electrosurgical Apparatus and Their Application in Dermatology. Springfield, I11, Thomas, 1966

    Google Scholar 

  6. Clark WL, Morgan JD, Asnis EJ: Electrothermic methods in treatment of neoplasms and other lesions, with clinical and histological observations. Radiology 2: 233, 1924

    Google Scholar 

  7. Crissey JT: Curettage and electrodesiccation as a method of treatment for epitheliomas of the skin. J Surg Oncol 3: 287, 1971

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Danna J A: A simple treatment for sebaceous cyst. New Orleans Med Surg J 98: 5, 1945

    Google Scholar 

  9. Elliott JA Jr: Electrosurgery. Its use in dermatology, with a review of its development and technologic aspects. Arch. Dermatol 94: 340, 1966

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Epstein E: Cautery excision. In Epstein E (ed): Skin Surgery (3rd Ed). Springfield, I11, Thomas, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  11. Freeman PG, Knox JM, Heaton CL: The treatment of skin cancer: a statistical study of 1,341 skin tumors comparing results obtained with irradiation, surgery, and curretage followed by electrodesiccation. Cancer 17: 535, 1964

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Graham JH, Bendl BJ, Johnson WC: Solar keratosis with squamous cell carcinoma: a new biologic concept. Am. J. Pathol 55: 26A, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  13. Greene, LF, Merideth J: Transurethral operations employing high frequency electrical currents on patients with demand cardiac pacemakers. J Urol 108: 446, 1972

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Harris R: Iontophoresis. In Licht S (ed): Therapeutic Electricity and Ultraviolet Radiation. Waverly Press, Inc. Baltimore, MD. 1967

    Google Scholar 

  15. Honeycutt W M, Jansen G T: Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Arch. Dermatol. 108: 670, 1973

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Huntoon RD: Tissue heating accompanying electrosurgery. An experimental investigation. Ann Surg 105: 270, 1937

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Kligman AM: Personal communication, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  18. Krull EA: Pacemakers. Cutaneous Surgery Course. Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  19. Lincoln CS Jr: Epilation. In Epstein E (ed): Skin Surgery. Springfield, I11, Thomas, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  20. Martin JW: Personal communication, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  21. McClean AJ: Characteristics of adequate electrosurgical current. Am J Surg 18: 417, 1932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. National Fire Protection Association: Manual for the Safe Use of High Frequency Electrical Equipment in Hospitals. Boston. NFPA No. 76CM, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  23. Peereboom-Wynia JDR: The effect of electrical epilation on the beard hair of women with idiopathic hirsutism. Arch Dermatol Res 254: 15, 1975

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Pillsbury DM, Shelley WB, Kligman AM: Dermatology. Philadelphia, Saunders, 1956

    Google Scholar 

  25. Robinson MM: Removal of superfluous hair by monopolar coagulation. Med Ann DC 15: 531, 1946

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Shelley WB: Consultations in Dermatology with Walter B. Shelley. Philadelphia, Saunders, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  27. Shelley WB, Horvath PM, Weidman FD, et al: Experimental militaria in man, production of sweat retention anidrosis and vesicles by means of iontophoresis. J Invest Dermatol 11: 275, 1948

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sternberg TH: Clinical Study of Perma Tweez Self-Use Electrolysis. Los Angeles, General Medical, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  29. Watkins AL: A Manual of Electrotherapy. Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1958

    Google Scholar 

  30. Watkins AL: A Manual of Electrotherapy, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Lea & Febiger, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  31. Whelan CS: Electrocoagulation in the treatment of skin cancers about the head and face. Surgery 62: 1017, 1967

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Whelan CS, Deckers PJ: Electrocoagulation and currettage for carcinoma involving the skin of the face, nose, eyelids, and ears. Cancer 31(1): 159, 1973 29.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Williamson GS, Jackson R: Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin by electrodes- iccation and currettage. Canad Med Assoc J 90:408, 1964.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Hugh M. Crumay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pennsylvania Medical School, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA

    Herbert Goldschmidt M.D., F.A.C.P. (Clinical Professor of Dermatology) (Clinical Professor of Dermatology)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1978 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Crumay, H.M. (1978). Alternating Current: Electrosurgery. In: Goldschmidt, H. (eds) Physical Modalities in Dermatologic Therapy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-6259-6_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-6259-6_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-6261-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-6259-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation