Valleylab Force 2 - Active Accessory Safety During Surgery

During Surgery
1-8 Force 2 User’s Guide
Active Accessories
Ensure that the outside of the coagulator suction tube remains free of blood and
mucus. Failure to clean the coagulator suction tube can allow electrical
conductance by means of the contaminants which may result in patient burns.
Do not immerse the suction coagulator handswitch mechanism in saline solution
or other conductive fluids. Unintended activation may result.
Warning
Do not place active accessories near or in contact with flammable materials (such
as gauze or surgical drapes). Electrosurgical accessories that are activated or hot
from use can cause a fire. Use a holster to hold electrosurgical accessories safely
away from patients, the surgical team, and flammable materials.
Simultaneously activating suction/irrigation and electrosurgical current may result
in increased arcing at the electrode tip, burns to unintended tissues, or shocks
and burns to the surgical team.
Some surgeons may elect to “buzz the hemostat” during surgical procedures. It
is not recommended, and the hazards of such a practice probably cannot be
eliminated. Burns to the surgeon’s hands are possible. To minimize the risk:
• Do not lean on the patient, the table, or the retractors while buzzing the
hemostat.
• Activate cut rather than coag. Cut has a lower voltage than coag.
• Use the lowest power setting possible for the minimum time necessary to
achieve hemostasis.
• Activate the generator after the accessory makes contact with the hemostat. Do
not arc to the hemostat.
• Firmly grasp as much of the hemostat as possible before activating the
generator. This disperses the current over a larger area and minimizes the
current concentration at the finger tips.
• "Buzz the hemostat" below hand level (as close as possible to the patient) to
reduce the opportunity for current to follow alternate paths through the
surgeon’s hands.
• When using a stainless steel blade electrode, place the flat surface against the
hemostat or other metal instrument.
• When using a coated or nonstick blade electrode, place the edge of the
electrode against the hemostat or other metal instrument.
When not using active accessories, place them in a holster or in a clean, dry,
nonconductive, and highly visible area not in contact with the patient. Inadvertent
contact with the patient may result in burns.
Caution
Studies have shown that smoke generated during electrosurgical procedures can
be potentially harmful to surgical personnel. These studies recommend using
surgical masks and ventilating the smoke by using a surgical smoke evacuator or
other means.
Warning