The use of a hyfrecator in modern medicine and surgical procedures is undeniable. Owing to its efficacy in cutting, removing, or burning skin tissue, the device is often found in almost every medical facility.
From skin surgeries to dentistry, several essential tasks are being fulfilled by employing a hyfrecator. But what is a hyfrecator and how does it work? What are its uses and why is it considered one of the necessary medical equipment? Let us address some of these questions about a hyfrecator in the following article.
What is a Hyfrecator?
A hyfrecator is a medical device that is employed during electrosurgery for the purpose of destroying a tissue immediately and completely. In addition, it is also helping to control bleeding while minor surgical procedures are being conducted. The name of the device comes from its function i.e. high-frequency eradicator.
How Does a Hyfrecator Work?
A hyfrecator is designed to work by sending low-power high-frequency high-voltage AC electric pulses to the area under the target. These pulses are transferred to the body tissue via a handpiece that has been affixed with an electrode.
Modes of Working of a Hyfrecator
A hyfrecator works in two principal modes:
● Desiccation
● Fulguration
Desiccation Mode
In desiccation mode, a hyfrecator is used for cutting tissue. This is done by targeting the tissue with electrical energy so high that it becomes unbearable for the cells and they eventually break. The probe of the hyfrecator is set near the target tissue where it is then switched on until the tissue becomes completely white indicating that the cells have desiccated and died. Despite being completely dead, the tissue is not burnt.
Advantages of Desiccation Mode
Hyfrecator in desiccation mode is particularly helpful in the following cases:
● Destruction of Skin Lesions
In conditions where the destruction of skin lesions is required, a hyfrecator is employed in its desiccation mode.
● Removal of Subcutaneous Nodules
The technique is effective in dealing with the subcutaneous nodules.
● Destruction of Warts
In procedures where the degeneration of sebaceous glands, as well as subcutaneous warts, is required, this method is essentially helpful.
Disadvantages of Desiccation Mode
As the probe of the hyfrecator comes into direct contact with the skin tissue, sometimes the skin beneath the lesion is also affected due to the higher supply of electrical energy.
Fulguration Mode
When a hyfrecator is used in fulguration mode, it is touched to the target area for a very short span of time, precisely just for a few seconds. During this period, the device probe sends a spark to the lesion which immediately elevates the temperature of the intended area. As a result, the skin at the spark-contact point is burnt within seconds.
Advantages of Fulguration Mode
● Skin Tag Removal
The fulguration mode of a hyfrecator is particularly useful while dealing with skin tags as well as nevi i.e. a mole.
● Removal of Protruding Tissue
Moreover, tissue removal can also be done with this method in areas where the skin is protruding in the form of warts, etc.
Disadvantages of Fulguration Mode
Due to the extremely high temperature, the cutaneous layer beneath the target area is likely to be damaged and burnt as well.
Uses of Hyfrecator in Modern Medicine
A hyfrecator, owing to its ability to burn, destroy, and coagulate tissue, finds extensive application in the field of surgery. Some of these uses include the following:
● Control of Bleeding
During dermatological office surgeries, the physicians have to deal with conscious patients on whom different procedures are being performed. During these procedures, when there is a need for tissue removal and tissue cutting, hyfrecators come in handy as they restrict the blood flow from the target area. In addition, biopsies are also easily conducted this way as the bleeding can be easily controlled.
● Removal of Skin Tags
Our skin is prone to generating growths of different sizes and appearances. These often become uncomfortable for the patient especially if these growths are on the facial region. As discussed above, a hyfrecator with adjustable power settings is particularly useful when there is a need to remove skin tags as well as skin lesions.
● Treatment of Skin Cancers
In patients dealing with skin cancers such as basal cell carcinomas, a hyfrecator is employed to shrink the cancerous mass using electrical energy. The process is done in stages. In each session, the large subcutaneous structure is targeted with strong electrical impulses until it shrinks enough to be excised without danger. This way, the management and treatment of skin cancer is facilitated. In addition, it also prevents the growth of skin cancer once the treatment is over.
● Body Modification Surgeries
A recent use of a hyfrecator is its employment in body modification surgeries. Nowadays, people tend to have become highly figure-conscious. Therefore, for aesthetic purposes, people go for such surgical procedures in which their bodies can be shaped in ways that are pleasing to them.
● Use in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeries
A hyfrecator is employed in plastic surgeries simply because of its ability to cut the skin by burning it in patterns in which it is intended. In addition, homeostatic function is also achieved. As soon as the hyfrecator touches the skin, it starts coagulating the points where the bleeding is occurring.
● Gynecological Uses
In various gynecological processes, a hyfrecator is known to perform different functions. Some of these include the following:
♦ Removal of vaginal cysts
♦ Condylomata of the vulva i.e. warts on the genital as well as anal regions
♦ Removal of cervical polyps
♦ Destruction of urethral tumors
♦ Treatment of cervical erosions
♦ Management of Bartholin’s abscesses i.e. fluid buildup in the Bartholin glands present in the vaginal opening
♦ Management of pruritus vulvae i.e. itching on the vulva
♦ Puncturing of Nabothian cysts i.e. a mucus-filled lump on the cervical canal
♦ Desiccation of skene’s glands
♦ Removal of gingival tissue
● Use in Dental and Oral Surgeries
The purpose of using a hyfrecator in dental as well as oral surgeries is to deal with the following conditions:
♦ Root canal sterilization
♦ Homeostasis
♦ Gingivectomy i.e. removal of diseased gum tissue
♦ Dentin desensitization
♦ Buccal gingival cavity issues
♦ Apicoectomy i.e. removal of inflamed tissue of the gums
♦ Oral cysts
♦ Frenectomy i.e. oral surgery to treat the lip or tongue-tie
● Use in Ophthalmology
In the field of ophthalmology, a hyfrecator is used to deal with the following conditions:
♦ Meibomian cysts i.e. red bumps on the eyelids
♦ Xanthelasma i.e. yellow growths on the eyelids
♦ Eutropion i.e. dropping of the eyelid away from the eyeball resulting in outward turning
● Employment in Urology
A hyfrecator is used in urology in the following domains:
♦ Vasectomy
♦ Removal of venereal warts from the genitalia
♦ Bladder tumor ablations
● Treatment of Pearly Penile Papules
Pearly penile papules (PPP) is a condition in which small, benign bumps or spots start appearing on a person’s penis. Although these structures do not cause pain and are completely harmless, people do not feel comfortable with them. In such cases, multiple treatment options can be employed including the use of a hyfrecator which destructs these bumps effectively thus causing the penis to look smooth as before.
Precautionary Measures while Using a Hyfrecator
As a hyfrecator has a system of generating a spark, it should not be used on the skin right after it has been wiped with alcohol. Otherwise, there is a chance of severe burning leading to a possible infection.
In addition, the electrical energy intensity setting of a hyfrecator should be done with care. If too much current is passed to a tissue, a deep wound can occur which, in some cases, burns the deep skin tissues.
Hyfrecators and Related Accessories: Products and Specifications
In the year 1939, ConMed obtained the rights to the registered trademark of Hyfrecator. Since then, the company has been manufacturing multiple products that are necessary to operate the device, apart from the actual machine. Some of these items have been detailed as follows:
ConMed CNM-7-900 Hyfrecator 2000 115V
ConMed CNM hyfrecator 2000 is equipped with a power up/down hand-switching pencil which is attached to the device via a 3-meter-long cord. Along with these, the device also comes with a starter box of five non-sterile Electrolase blunt tips.
In addition, a box of five non-sterile Electrolase tips is also provided which have sharp tips instead of blunt. Moreover, accessories such as a wall mount kit, 1-year warranty card, operator’s manual, as well a ConMed hyfrecator 2000 in-service video are also provided with the item.
In terms of utility, the device is suitable for use during dental and oral surgeries, plastic surgery, as well as ophthalmic procedures in addition to gynecology, urology, as well as otolaryngology. Moreover, the device can also perform internal self-diagnostic tests to check its own performance accuracy.
ConMed CNM-700 Hyfrecator Electrode Starter Kit
ConMed hyfrecator electrode starter kit includes five electrodes that are non-sterile in nature. However, these can be subjected to sterilization as well as autoclaving up to 20 times. The product is reusable as well.
The aim of attaching these electrodes to a hyfrecator is to conduct the transfer of electrosurgical current between the electrosurgical handpiece and the operative site. The included electrodes are:
● 45 degrees angle general purpose electrode
● 75 degrees angle needle electrode
● 30 degrees angle extra fine needle electrode
● 0.625” straight needle electrode
● Ball electrode for controlled coagulation
ConMed CNM-7-796-20 Hyfrecator Wall Mount Kit
ConMed hyfrecator wall mount kit is used to mount a hyfrecator unit to a wall with the aim of making it convenient and easy to use. The product comes with a plate as well as simple screws which are easy to install.
ConMed CNM-7-900-1 Telescoping Hyfrecator Stand
ConMed telescoping hyfrecator stand is a product that is used to support and transport a hyfrecator attached to it. It is grey in color and has a five-legged pedestal base. When the hyfrecator is mounted on its stand, its transportation from one operation room to another becomes easy.
ConMed CNM-7-900-7 Hyfrecator Patient Plate
ConMed hyfrecator patient plate is a product employed to connect the device to the patient’s body. The device has a cord and a cable attached to the plate. The item is reusable and long-lasting.
The hyfrecator as well as its related accessories mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products.
They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of hyfrecator accessories on the website.
Conclusion
In medical procedures, it is a common occurrence that the removal and destruction of body tissues is required. For this purpose, a hyfrecator is often used by surgeons which can effectively do the required job.
It works in two modes which can be set based on the method to be performed. Owing to its ability, it is employed to perform several functions including skin tag removal, tissue destruction, etc. Its high output terminal is put to the target tissue where it delivers electric current as a spark resulting in the burning of the tissues. Hence, it can be considered an ideal product for precise tissue therapy.
Purchasing medical devices from reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 ensures the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
Click to Order Hyfrecator from Health Supply 770
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
