Information on why the insulation on surgical electrode probes should be tested.

It has been determined that insulation failure of active electrode surgical probes (bipolar and monopolar) is one of the major reasons why patients receive electrosurgical burns to unintended tissues. Even the smallest hole in the insulation of the probe will endanger the patient's safety since the escaping electrical energy will usually cause burns to the patient outside of the surgeon's view. Visual inspection of the integrity of the probe's insulation will often miss the small holes and cracks that occur.

Pinhole Creation
While much care is taken in the handling of these probes they are still subjected to mechanical stress due to the sterilization methods or cleaning agents used, such as alcohol or glutaraldehyde.

These mechanical stresses can produce pinholes, nicks or cracks in the protective insulation of the probe.

Handling of the electrode surgical probe during the surgery may also cause damage to the insulation.

There is also a possibility of defects caused to the probe during packaging or that may occur to it during or after being shipped from the manufacturer.

Inspection
A vigorous program of regular inspection of probes' insulation should be practiced. Formal procedures should be set-up to minimize the potential damage to the probe's insulation. This procedure should incorporate the probe's insulation testing on a regular basis. On of the best and most cost effective way to test the probe's insulation's integrity is to utilize the MicroMed PD-8K detection unit. It is suggested that the probe be tested post-surgery in the Sterile Department after the probe has been cleaned and just prior to sterilization.

With 10's of thousands of unwanted electrosurgical burns occurring every year it is essential to reduce this number to protect the hospital and the physician from liability issues but more importantly to protect the patient from the numerous side effects from these types of burns.