Electrosurgical Pencil

An electrosurgical pencil (also known as an electrosurgical handpiece, Bovie pencil, or cautery pen) is a medical device used in surgical procedures to cut, coagulate, or desiccate tissue using high-frequency electrical current. It is a key tool in both open and minimally invasive surgeries.

Components of an Electrosurgical Pencil:
Handpiece – Ergonomically designed for surgeon comfort and control.

Active Electrode Tip – Delivers electrical current to the tissue (can be blade, needle, or ball-shaped).

Activation Buttons – Typically, two buttons:

Cut Mode – High-frequency current for precise tissue cutting.

Coag Mode – Lower current for sealing blood vessels (hemostasis).

Cable Connection – Attaches to an electrosurgical generator (ESU).

Smoke Evacuation Port (optional) – Some models include suction to remove surgical smoke.

How It Works:
The pencil delivers high-frequency alternating current (radiofrequency energy) to tissue, causing localized heating.

Cutting: Rapid heating vaporizes cells, creating a clean incision.

Coagulation: Slower heating denatures proteins, sealing vessels.

The current returns to the generator via a dispersive electrode (grounding pad) on the patient.

Types of Electrosurgical Pencils:
Disposable – Single-use, sterile, no risk of cross-contamination.

Reusable – Requires sterilization between uses (less common today).

Pencil with Smoke Evacuation – Integrated suction to remove harmful surgical smoke.

Pencil with Extended Reach Tips – For laparoscopic or deep-cavity surgeries.

Common Uses:
General surgery (cutting and coagulation)

Dermatology (removing lesions)

Orthopedic surgery

Gynecological procedures

Plastic surgery

ENT (ear, nose, throat) surgeries

Advantages:
Precise tissue dissection

Reduced blood loss

Faster procedures compared to traditional scalpel

Minimally invasive option in many cases

Safety Considerations:
Proper grounding pad placement to prevent burns.

Avoiding flammable anesthetics (due to sparks).

Managing surgical smoke (potential carcinogens).

Preventing accidental activation.

Popular Brands:
Medtronic (Covidien) Valleylab

Bovie Medical

ConMed

ERBE Elektromedizin

Symmetry Surgical