Dennis. She notes
neutral, bipolar plas-
ma models don't
spark like other elec-
trosurgical devices,
making them less
likely to cause an OR
fire. Plus, these
designs also use a
low-flow gas rate of
0.4 liters per minute,
which reduces the
risk of embolism and
over-pressurization
in laparoscopic
patients.
Your staff also ben-
efits from plasma
since these devices
generate much less
smoke compared to traditional electrosurgery — though Ms. Dennis
adds you still must use an evacuator. "It does generate smoke, but it's
less," she says. "It's more equivalent to a harmonic or ultrasonic
scalpel."
Despite all of the advantages, there is one big reason plasma isn't in
more ORs — benefit versus cost. For example, in a study looking at
pediatric patients undergoing an adenotonsillectomy, researchers
found that using traditional monopolar cautery resulted in similar out-
comes to a plasma scalpel. However, the overall average cost of using
monopolar cautery was around $30 while the plasma scalpel's costs
1 4 2
O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
z PLASMA VS. ELECTROSURGERY Plasma devices can improve wound
healing and minimize scarring, compared to traditional electrosurgery options.