Objective: Energy devices are frequently used in minimally invasive
surgeries (MIS). For MIS involving gynecologic malignancies, energy devices
should be used cautiously to prevent thermal injuries to nearby organs. We
evaluated monopolar electrosurgery devices and measured increases in temperature
in the tissue and device. Methods: Briefly, the surface of a porcine tissue was incised using
short and long activation times. Subsequently, the maximum temperature at the tip
of the monopolar device, the cooling time required to reach a temperature of
60 C, and the maximum tissue temperature were recorded.
Results: Longer activation time was correlated with a higher tip
temperature. With all activation times, there was an increase in the tip
temperature that exceeded 100 C. The cooling time to reach 60 C
was faster with the short activation times than with the long activation times.
Even with the same output, the temperature decreased faster in the coagulation
mode, suggesting that the cooling times were shorter with lower outputs. The
tissue temperature dropped to 60 C or less within 1 s in the cut mode
but required approximately 2 s in the coagulation mode at 40 W. The temperature
of the dissected tissue increased to 60 C or higher; the cooling time
was longer with high output and in the coagulation mode.
Conclusions: We revealed that the activation of the monopolar device under
routine use conditions exceeded a temperature of 100 C. Additionally,
the temperatures of the tip and tissue were significantly higher in proportion to
the output and time. For MIS involving gynecologic malignancies, careful
attention is necessary to avoid thermal injury.