Ellman FFPF Surgitron

7.75" W x 4.75H x 6.75D
9 1/4 lbs.

Radio-surgery now has an established place throughout the world in dermatology,
gynaecology, facial and cosmetic surgery, vascular and podiatric practice. Its use in minor
surgery is increasing rapidly and it can now achieve far more superior results than other more
conventional surgical techniques.

Radio-surgery is a procedure in which tissue is removed or destroyed by electrical energy.
This energy is converted to heat as a result of tissue resistance but, unlike electrocautery,
the heat is generated in the tissues themselves and the actual electrode remains cold.

Radio-surgical instruments are powerful, and a totally different technique from that of
conventional scalpel surgery has to be learned. Most of the poor results are entirely due to
inexperience and faulty technique.

The first major difference is that no pressure must be used. This is hard to learn for a surgeon
who has been trained to press the scalpel firmly through the tissues. In radio-surgery it is the
radio wave which does the cutting.

Secondly, there are no absolute power settings on the machine - these need to be learned by
trial and error and experience. For example, a small moist lesion will require much less power
to remove than a larger fibrous keratinized lesion.

Thirdly, if repeated incisions are to be made on the same lesion time should be allowed to let
the edges cool between cuts - usually up to 10 seconds.

Fourthly, rather than removing the whole lesion at the first attempt, better cosmetic results
are obtained by first removing a representative sample for histological examination and then
gradually planing off the remainder of the lesion until it is flush with the surrounding skin.

One of the simplest teaching aids is a piece of raw steak placed on the passive base
electrode. Starting with high power, different techniques of cutting and coagulation may be
tried, and then, by reducing the power, the effects of too low or too high current are
discovered.