What is an electrotome?

An electrotome is a surgical instrument for performing electro surgery. The device consists of two electrodes and a patient plate. By using a high voltage between the two electrodes, this can be used as a surgical knife.

Two positions are possible: a cutting position and a coagulating position. The cutting position loosens the attachment of the tissue. At the coagulating position the wound is immediately ‘closed burned’. Blood vessels are closed by coagulation of tissue; the bleeding comes to a standstill. This leads to better wound healing and therefore less chance of infection.

The advantages of electro surgery are:

• incision without mechanical force;
• haemostasis during cutting;
• reduction of blood loss and infections (compared to cutting with scissors or cutting with a scalpel)