Coblator Surgery-Recent Advance in ENT

Coblation is a method used by ENT surgeons to perform tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and turbinate reduction and the treatment of snoring.

Unlike traditional electrocautery methods, Coblation methods use radiofrequency (RF) to remove tissue. RF is a form of energy like radio waves, but with a higher frequency. Coblation-based surgical procedures use RF energy in a precise and controlled manner to remove affected tissue while causing very little harm to healthy tissue.

coblation “glow”

Using radio frequency in a bipolar mode with a conductive solution, such as saline, Coblation energizes the ions in the saline to form a small plasma field. The plasma has enough energy to break the tissue’s molecular bonds, creating an ablative path. The thermal effect of this process is approximately 40-70 °C, significantly lower than traditional radio-frequency techniques

The Coblation process was invented by Philip E. Eggers and Hira V. Thapliyal, who patented their “electrosurgical ablation probe” on May 11, 1999. The technology was acquired by ArthroCare (founded in 1993), a California-based medical device company, which trademarked the technology under the term Coblation—a contraction of “controlled” and “ablation”. The Coblation procedure is performed using specially designed hand pieces called Coblation wands.

Coblation® procedures employ radiofrequency (RF) energy to remove tissue and often provide a gentler alternative to other types of surgery. Coblation procedures gently break down tissues resulting in less damage to the surrounding tissue and virtually no bleeding.

The ArthroCare ENT Coblator II surgery system brings a new level of control and functionality to otolaryngology. Using patented Coblation technology, the ArthroCare ENT system removes tissue via molecular disintegration. For tissue coagulation, the Coblator II features e table below.

ENT Surgery performed using Coblator II(ArthroCare)

Tonsillectomy-painless

Adenoidectomy,

Inferior nasal turbinate reduction,

Sinus surgery

Treatment of OSA and snoring-CAUP, Soft pale channeling and BOT (Base of Tongue reduction.

Advantages

• Significantly less pain and less frequent use of narcotics

• Significantly faster return to normal diet

• Less incidence of postoperative nausea and throat swelling

• Less depth of thermal adjacent tissue necrosis

• Less postoperative dehydration