Laparoscopic Procedures - Covidien Force FX-C User Manual

During Surgery

Laparoscopic Procedures

Warning
For laparoscopic procedures, be alert to these potential hazards:
• Laparoscopic surgery may result in gas embolism due to insufflation of gas in the abdomen.
• The electrode tip may remain hot enough to cause burns after the electrosurgical current is
deactivated.
• Inadvertent activation or movement of the activated electrode outside of the field of vision may
result in injury to the patient.
• Localized burns to the patient or physician may result from electrical currents carried through
conductive objects (such as cannulas or scopes). Electrical current may be generated in
conductive objects by direct contact with the active electrode, or by the active accessory
(electrode or cable) being in close proximity to the conductive object.
• Do not use hybrid trocars that are composed of both metal and plastic components. For the
operative channel, use all metal or all plastic systems. At no time should electrical energy pass
through hybrid systems. Capacitive coupling of RF current may cause unintended burns.
• When using laparoscopic instrumentation with metal cannulas, the potential exists for
abdominal wall burns to occur due to direct electrode contact or capacitive coupling of RF
current. This is most likely to occur in instances where the electrosurgical generator is activated
for extended periods at high power levels inducing high current levels in the cannula.
• Ensure that the insulation of disposable and reusable laparoscopic instrumentation is intact and
uncompromised. Compromised insulation may lead to inadvertent metal-to-metal sparking and
neuromuscular stimulation and/or inadvertent sparking to adjacent tissue.
• Do not activate electrodes while in contact with other instruments as unintended tissue injury
may occur.
• Do not activate the generator in an open circuit condition. To reduce the chances of unintended
burns, activate the generator only when the active electrode is near or touching the target
tissue.
• Use the lowest power setting that achieves the desired surgical effect and use a low voltage
waveform (pure cut or desiccate) to lessen the potential for the creation of capacitive currents.
• Carefully insert and withdraw active electrodes from cannulas to avoid possible injury to the
patient or damage to the devices.
3-10 Force FX Electrosurgical Generator C User's Guide