Electrosurgery burns and the urologist.

Investigations into the problems associated with electrosurgery machines have concentrated on protecting the patient from radio frequency burns. While protection of the patient is essential an equally serious and dangerous situation exists in protecting the surgeon, particularly the urologist during transurethral resection of the prostate. The 2 subtle causes of burns to the surgeon are reviewed--capacitive coupling and grounding paths that include the surgeon. Protection of the surgeon as well as the patient depends upon an awareness of the peculiar mating of high frequency current and the grounded environment of the operating room.