Dr.K.O.Paulose FRCS, DLO.Consultant ENT Surgeon.
Jubilee Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, South India
Can Coblator surgery be done to help the poor patients in India.?
Yes it should and It can.
Any modern technology in the field of medicine should help the poor class patients too.Jubilee Mission Hospital in Trivandrum is a christian charitable hospital in South India. There is no external funds coming from abroad like in olden days,now it is self funded,but not a corporate set up. The poor and needy also must enjoy the benefits of the minimaly invasive modern technology like Coblation technology from Arthrocare.
As I know the company has grown well in a short span of few years.They deserve it, well done Arthrocare.I fully agree it is wonderful technology, but expensive.
Having said that, In my opinion the console and coblation wands should be made cheaper for developing countries like India.
What is Coblation Technology?
Coblation® “Controlled Ablation” uses bipolar high frequency electrical energy to excite the electrolytes in a conductive medium, creating a precisely focused plasma field. The energized particles in the plasma have sufficient energy to break organic molecular bonds, excising or dissolving soft tissue at relatively low temperatures, thereby preserving the integrity of surrounding healthy tissue.
Although Coblation® is a form of electrosurgery, it does not require current to flow through tissue to operate. In fact, during most common Coblation procedures, only a very small amount of current passes through tissue. Tissue ablation is obtained through the chemical etching action of the plasma field.
When used in coagulation mode, localized activity of tissue is achieved by a larger amount of current passes it and by the direct reaction of the fluid in contact with the tip of the Coblation Wand. Coblation wands allow for specific procedural use via instrument settings. Higher voltage settings produce the plasma field effect. Alternatively, choosing lower voltage setting the saline solution is activated by moving electrolyte dissipation. Blood vessels with the tissue may also be coagulated, thereby stopping their bleeding, all at much lower temperatures than with conventional electrocautery.
Use in ENT Surgery:
I use it in tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy,surgery for snoring and sleep apnea, Nasal allergy and vasomotor rhinitis_turbinoplasty and rarely nasal polypectomy.The main advantages are pain free post operative period, less bleeding and rapid recovery.
