Physics for Surgeons - Part 4: Energy Devices in Surgery

Abstract

Modern surgery has advanced astoundingly in the last century owing to the advent of number of energy devices in the operation room. Surgeon in the past were only using electric current –monopolar diathermy to burn and couterize the tissue, the present day surgeons are equiped with a number of more advanced energy devices e.g. LASER, ultrasonic vibrating shears, radiofrequency, shockwaves, argon beam coagulator and advanced bipolar electric energy with hybrid systems and light energy of different wavelengths. In the present paper, we have explained the physical principles involved in the commonly used energy devices in the operation theatre.