Morphologic analysis of water-cooled bipolar radiofrequency lesions on egg white in vitro

Background: The aim of this study was to document the optimal spacing of two cannulae to form continuous strip lesions and maximal surface area by using water-cooled bipolar radiofrequency technology. Methods: Two water-cooled needle probes (15 cm length, 18-gauge probe with 6 mm electrode tip) were placed in a parallel position 10, 20, 24, 26, and 28 mm apart and submerged in egg white. Temperatures of the probes were raised from 35°C to 90°C and the progress of lesion formation was photographed every 1 minute with the increase of the tip temperature. Approximately 30 photographs were taken. The resultant surface areas of the lesions were measured with the digital image program. Results: Continuous strip lesions were formed when the cannulae were spaced 24 mm or less apart; monopolar lesions around each cannula resulted if they were spaced more than 26 mm apart. Maximal surface areas through the formation of continuous strip lesion were 221 mm ², 375 mm ², and 476 mm ² in 10, 20, and 24 mm, respectively. Summations of maximal surface area of each monopolar lesions were 394 mm ² and 103 mm ² in 26 and 28 mm, respectively. Conclusions: Water-cooled bipolar Radiofrequency technology creates continuous "strip" lesions proportional in size to the distance between the probes till the distance between cannulae is 24 mm or less. Spacing the cannulae 24 mm apart and treating about 80°C for 24 minutes maximizes the surface area of the lesion.