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Monopolar electrosurgery involves the use of a surgical instrument, usually pencil-shaped, which contains a single electrode. The return current is through the patient to a “grounding pad”, usually placed on the patient’s thigh.
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Bipolar electrosurgery is a surgical instrument that contains both the source and sink. Current is almost entirely limited to the space between the forceps.
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For cutting, monopolar is generally the accepted form of electrosurgery.
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However, bipolar forceps electrocautery is generally accepted as the best instrument for electrocautery.
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