How much collateral tissue denaturing can one expect?
Although this depends on many factors with surgical technique being the most significant, in general, collateral tissue denaturing is on a par with, or better than, laser. The least possible is on the order of 140 microns in CUT mode ( minimal to modest concurrent hemostasis ) assuming good dose titration and deft technique, with up to 700-750 microns in BLEND mode ( strong concurrent hemostasis ) assuming average technique. Electrode size has a strong influence also, with thinner electrodes inducing less collateral effect. Note that electrosurgery involves a single pass of the electrode whereas laser requires multiple passes so that collateral tissue denaturing with laser depends strongly on the depth of incision whereas electrosurgery does not ( collateral tissue denaturing is constant along the sides of a uniform cross section electrode regardless of depth ).
