EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance duel diathermy operating

Yes, plus the arc created by electrosurgery can rectify ac current and produce L.F. and dc-effects as well. These can be significant, on occasion, and cause neuro-muscular stimulation, etc, but perhaps burns are a more significant concern with the use of ESUs, relatively speaking.

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Originally posted by Double D:
I have just found out a theatre has been operating using two ESU's at the same time with no problems far a long time but a sales rep has advised they should'nt be operating like this.
Can any of you advise me if this is a safe working practice or not? They are using 2 return plates placed on the same limb and both working in the same area. Dave
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Ask the sales rep why he is saying this. A couple of jobs ago we were regularly using two diathermies on one patient (many by-pass grafts per week with no problems) and when we went for replacements the reps all said that there was no problem using two of their ESUs at once. Was he refering to plate postion or something else rather than the use of two machines that we all seem to have got hung up about?
Though it has brought up some very interesting electrical points that have stretched a few old grey cells.
Robert

Yes I agree, plate positioning will determine where currents flow between active and dispersive electrodes, preferentially, this could encourage current to flow through tissues that the operator don't expect double the ESU current to flow through or increase the opportunity for leakage currents that could cause inadvertent burns.