Urological use of a disposable bipolar diathermy probe: an experimental in vivo study.

The effects of monopolar and bipolar diathermy systems were studied in 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Fulguration was achieved by application of a standard current (13 W for 1 s) on the foreskin. Tissue damage was assessed by light microscopy. Results suggest that bipolar probe causes less tissue damage than its monopolar counterpart. It has proved to be of value in plastic and paediatric procedures and is recommended for the urologist's armamentarium.