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Introduction
Surgeons all over the world
are looking forward to never type of cutting tools for
improved precision in their surgery. The aim is to cut
tissues precisely, with minimal blood loss reduction of
collateral damage and also try to reach inaccessible
areas. The new developments have been in the form of
electrocautery devices, ultrasonic scalpels, lasers and
now coblation.
What is 'Coblation' ?:
Coblation is an abbreviated
terms for controlled ablation. It uses the same physical
principle of radio frequency as an electro surgical
device but in a far gentler way. The physical basis is
application of radio frequency energy to a conductive
medium creating a plasma field. This plasma field is an
envelope of charged ions, which are capable of breaking
bonds between molecules gently and thereby cutting
tissues. This is a non-thermal process and minimizes
trauma to surrounding tissues.
Currently in ENT practice it
appears to have a promising role. People who have
problems of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
can be helped in a great measure by coblation. Reduction
of soft palate, tonsillar pillar, tongue base can be
done and size of or opharynx can be enlarged reducing
snoring and improving sleep apnea.
Persons suffering from
chronically stuffily nose due to enlarged turbinates can
be helped by shrinking their turbinates. This helps is
an improved nasal airway over a long period of time.
Even in simple surgeries like tonsillectomy the
procedure becomes simpler with much less blood loss and
early rehabilitation.
It is believed that
coblation is finding multiple uses in various
specialties and would prove to be useful on a long-term
basis, In Kanpur we are also using coblation for
leukoplakia and oyal sub mucous fibrosis and are very
pleased with initial results. |
