What is the difference between monopolar and bipolar coagulation?
Monopolar electrodes have active tips (ball, thick needle etc.) on which the waves exit to enter the tissue. The wave conduction occurs through the neutral electrode. Bipolar electrodes have two tips that are simultaneously activated so that energy flows alternately from one tip to the other. For this reason a neutral electrode is not required during bipolar hemostasis. Actually it is incorrect to term a coagulation via ball- or needle electrode monopolar, as this is also a bipolar way of coagulation.