Department of Surgery

Types, Tools and Techniques of Surgery

Tools of Surgery

Heat (electrosurgery or diathermy)

Electrosurgery is performed with a heat-generating electrical device, instead of a scalpel. Diseased tissue is burned or vaporized with an electric current that runs through a metal instrument or needle. It can also be used to stop bleeding. Electrosurgery is effective for removing skin cancers or lesions.

Cold (cryosurgery)

Cryosurgery applies extreme cold to destroy skin ailments and diseased tissue. Cryotherapy is used to treat cancer when surgery may not be an option, and also to control pain or bleeding. The surgeon inserts liquid nitrogen into the diseased area through a probe.

Laser

Laser surgery uses a targeted light beam that can remove diseased tissues or tumors, treat bleeding blood vessels, or seal nerve endings to reduce pain. Laser surgery causes minimal damage to the healthy tissue surrounding the diseased area and results in minimal scaring.

Ultrasonic Vibration (harmonic scalpel)

A harmonic scalpel uses ultrasonic energy to vibrate its blade, helping surgeons minimize tissue damage to patients during surgical procedures.

Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency uses energy to destroy cancerous tumors. The surgeon works with an interventional radiologist using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, or X-rays to precisely target the diseased area.