Bipolar and unipolar cautery are both commonly used in operating rooms (OT) for various surgical procedures to achieve hemostasis, which is the control of bleeding. While they serve a similar purpose, they differ in their application and how they work.
- Unipolar Cautery:
- Unipolar cautery uses a single active electrode and a large dispersive electrode (often referred to as a "grounding pad") placed on the patient's body away from the surgical site.
- The active electrode delivers high-frequency electrical current to the target tissue, causing it to heat up rapidly and coagulate, leading to hemostasis.
- The dispersive electrode serves as a return path for the electrical current to complete the circuit and prevent harm to surrounding tissues.
- Since the electrical current flows through the patient's body to the grounding pad, the patient must be insulated from any other conductive surfaces, and extra care should be taken to prevent accidental burns or electrical injuries.
- Bipolar Cautery:
- Bipolar cautery, on the other hand, uses two electrodes that are both located on the surgical instrument itself. The current flows only between these two electrodes, and there is no need for a separate grounding pad or dispersive electrode.
- The active electrode and the return electrode are positioned in close proximity to each other, often at the tips of forceps or other surgical instruments designed for this purpose.
- The electrical current is confined to the small area between the tips of the bipolar forceps, which reduces the risk of electrical spread to surrounding tissues. This makes bipolar cautery particularly useful in delicate procedures or when working near sensitive structures.
In summary, the main differences between bipolar and unipolar cautery in the operating room are related to the number of electrodes used and how the electrical current is applied:
- Unipolar cautery uses a single active electrode and a separate dispersive electrode away from the surgical site.
- Bipolar cautery uses two electrodes on the same instrument, with the current flowing only between those two points.
The choice between bipolar and unipolar cautery depends on the specific surgical procedure, the type of tissue being treated, and the surgeon's preference for achieving effective hemostasis while minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.