Radiofrequency energy induced heating of bovine articular cartilage: comparison between temperature-controlled, monopolar, and bipolar systems

Abstract

This in vitro investigation characterized temperature changes associated with radiofrequency (RF) energy induced heating of bovine articular cartilage using temperature-controlled, monopolar (Vulcan RF system and Vulcan, TAC-S Electrothermal Probe) and bipolar (VAPR II RF system and VAPR TC RF electrode) electrosurgical equipment. The RF generators were used at the same setting (set temperature 70 degrees C; 30 W). The cartilage tissue sample was placed in a saline bath maintained at room temperature. Temperatures were recorded using fluoroptic thermometry at the RF electrode-tissue interface at 1-s intervals before, during deliver of RF energy (1- and 2-s), and after (1- to 3-s). For both electrosurgical systems the mean RF electrode-tissue interface temperatures were significantly ( P<0.05) higher than the mean baseline value during delivery of RF energy (monopolar, highest mean temperature, 65.7 degrees C; bipolar, highest mean temperature, 54.1 degrees C). In general, during and after the deliver of RF energy, the monopolar RF system produced tissue temperatures that were significantly ( P<0.05) higher than those produced by the bipolar RF system. Neither electrosurgical system exceeded the set temperature of 70 degrees C. These findings provide basic tissue temperature characteristics for the newly developed, temperature-controlled RF devices applied to articular cartilage.

Radiofrequency Application to the Growth Plate in the Rabbit: A New Potential Approach to Epiphysiodesis

“…[18][19][20][21]23,24,[46][47][48] In this study, we had concerns about thermal injury to the neighboring articular cartilage. A thorough radiologic and histologic evaluation did not show any evidence of damage to the articular cartilage.…”

“…It is currently being used extensively in the arthroscopic setting to debride cartilaginous or meniscal lesions even though its safety has been questioned. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] As limb length discrepancy and angular deviations constitute a relatively frequent situation in pediatric orthopaedics, we hypothesized that radiofrequency may be an efficient and minimally invasive way to achieve complete or partial growth arrest to treat these conditions. This study was conducted to verify this hypothesis through a single application of radiofrequency energy to the proximal tibial growth plate in white New Zealand rabbits.…”

Impact of monopolar radiofrequency energy on subchondral bone viability

“…The temperature at the surface and below the surface of the articular cartilage adjacent to the RFE probe reached 66–74°C upon stimulation with a monopolar device [23, 24]. Such temperatures induce heat shock necrosis in osteoblasts [25].…”

Radiofrequency Thermal Energy Application on Articular Cartilage

“…Shellock et al 19 reported that this new bRFE maintained the temperature at the RFE electrode-tissue interface relatively close to the RFE preset temperature and may be useful for thermal-assisted chondroplasty. Shellock et al 19 reported that this new bRFE maintained the temperature at the RFE electrode-tissue interface relatively close to the RFE preset temperature and may be useful for thermal-assisted chondroplasty.…”