Understanding the safe application of electrosurgery: A cross sectional study of surgeons in KSA

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether surgeons at different levels and in different specialties are aware of the safe and acceptable use of electrosurgery. In addition, we aimed to provide a fundamental understanding of electrosurgery and surgical diathermy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 83 doctors from different specialties were randomly selected from several hospitals across KSA. The participants answered a questionnaire featuring 16 questions that addressed 10 domain questions regarding the safe use of electrosurgery. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that the respondents either lacked knowledge or were unfamiliar with the use and safety of monopolar and bipolar electrosurgery in terms of application. Some respondents were unable to distinguish between the two protocols; this may have resulted in injuries being incurred by patients under their supervision. CONCLUSIONS: Electrosurgery should be formally included in specialty surgical Saudi hospital training programs to increase electrosurgery expertise and surgeons should be re-tested periodically. Our findings may be used to drive future learning. Surgeons may improve their electrosurgery skills by progressing along their learning curve to reach their peak. In addition, surgeons can use virtual reality surgical simulators to practice fundamental and sophisticated electrosurgery skills.