Surgical Electrotechnology: Quo Vadis?

The development of the modern electrosurgical generator and its accessories is outlined. The use of the electrosurgical scalpel is compared to other thermal knives: the plasma scalpel and the laser. The evolution of the dispersive electrode is summarized. Some of the innovations in endoscopic electrosurgery and the associated problems are discussed, along with a summary of some current research in hazard detection and waveform generating techniques and its impact on the next generation of electrosurgical generators.