Applicability of the new ITKA GSD Basic 250 electrosurgical unit to urologic endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and urologic open surgery.

The purpose of the study was to assess the applicability of a new ITKA GSD Basic 250 electrosurgical unit (ESU) to urologic endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and open urologic surgery, its possible interference with videorecording and stray currents in healthy tissues. A new ITKA GSD Basic 250 ESU (test ESU) was used and compared to conventional ESU (Berchtold Elektrotom 390 as reference ESU). Experimental surgery was carried out on three female pigs, which underwent endoscopic, laparoscopic and open surgery. Altogether 29 patients underwent either endoscopic or open surgery with the test ESU. In experimental surgery, the ideal cutting and coagulation settings of the test ESU were in the range 15-25% for endoscopic surgery. In laparoscopic surgery, tissues were ideally resected and removed at 10-15% power settings. In open experimental surgery, the ideal power settings were 25-30%. In human surgery, the test ESU operated well at 25-35% power settings in endoscopic surgery, while in open surgery on humans the ideal settings were 25-35% in monopolar use and 20-25% in bipolar use. When used for endoscopic operations, the test ESU did not interfere with videorecording. Nor were any adverse effects seen in the surrounding tissues. The patients had neither early nor late complications. Histopathological findings revealed no differences in healing between the test ESU and reference ESU. Experimental and patient surgery showed the test ESU to be both safe and effective. It is suitable to be used in urologic endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and open urologic surgery. It does not interfere with videorecording or cause harmful stray currents in surrounding tissues. Power can be adjusted linearly and precisely. Low-power operation is also possible.