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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Pulsed Shortwave Diathermy and Prolonged Long-Duration Stretching Increase Dorsiflexion Range of Motion More Than Identical Stretching Without Diathermy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 3 treatments on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion: prolonged long-duration stretching, pulsed shortwave diathermy followed by stretching, and pulsed shortwave diathermy, stretching, and ice combined. DESIGN AND SETTING: A 2 x 5 x 15 repeated-measures (on 2 factors) design guided this study. Range-of-motion change in triceps surae flexibility was the dependent variable. The 3 independent variables were treatment group, pretest and posttest measurements, and day. Treatment group had 4 levels: control, stretching (10 minutes of stretching via the weight and pulley), diathermy and stretching (20 minutes of diathermy and 10 minutes of stretching), and diathermy, stretching, and ice (20 minutes of diathermy, 10 minutes of stretching applied after 15 minutes of diathermy, and 5 minutes of ice applied during the last 5 minutes of stretching). Each subject received 14 treatments throughout 3 weeks, with a follow-up measurement taken 6 days after the last treatment. SUBJECTS: Forty-four healthy college-student volunteers not involved in any flexibility program. MEASUREMENTS: We measured ankle dorsiflexion using a digital inclinometer before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 14 days of treatment, the range-of-motion increase was greater after heat and stretching than after stretching alone. After 6 additional days of rest, the heat and stretching range-of-motion increase was greater than that for stretching alone. CONCLUSION: Pulsed shortwave diathermy application before prolonged long-duration static stretching was more effective than stretching alone in increasing flexibility throughout 3 weeks. After 14 treatments, prolonged long-duration stretching combined with pulsed shortwave diathermy followed by ice application caused greater immediate and net range-of-motion increases than prolonged long-duration stretching alone.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Prospective, randomized trial comparing diathermy excision and diathermy coagulation for symptomatic, prolapsed hemorrhoids.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare diathermy excision and diathermy coagulation in the treatment of symptomatic prolapsed piles. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients were randomly assigned to diathermy excision hemorrhoidectomy (Group A, n = 25) and diathermy coagulation (Group B, n = 20) under general anesthesia. RESULTS: The median duration of surgery was ten minutes for both groups. There was no statistical difference in the severity of postoperative pain at rest between the two groups, but Group A patients felt less pain during defecation on the third postoperative day (median, 5 (interquartile range, 3-7) vs. 8 (4-9); P = 0.04) and on the sixth postoperative day (median, 5 (interquartile range, 2-6) vs. 9 (5-10); P = 0.02). There was, however, no statistical difference in postoperative oral analgesics use and patients' satisfaction scores between the two groups. Complication rates were similar except that diathermy coagulation tended to leave some residual skin components of external hemorrhoid especially in very large prolapsed piles. Group A patients resumed work earlier (mean, 12 (range, 4-20) vs. 17 (11-21) days); however, this was not statistically significant ( P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Diathermy coagulation of hemorrhoids is a simple technique and may be considered in suitable cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic "drilling" by diathermy or laser for ovulation induction in anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Problems in inducing ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and anovulation (failure to ovulate) are well recognised. Surgical ovarian wedge resection was the first established treatment for anovulatory PCOS patients but was largely abandoned of the risk of post-surgical adhesion formation. It was replaced by medical ovulation induction with clomiphene and gonadotrophins. However patients with PCOS treated with gonadotrophins often have a polyfollicular response and are exposed to the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancy. Although effective, it is an expensive, stressful and time consuming form of treatment requiring intensive monitoring. A new surgical therapy, laparoscopic ovarian "drilling", may avoid or reduce the need, or facilitate the use, of gonadotrophins for inducing ovulation. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis with less trauma and fewer postoperative adhesions. It has been claimed in many uncontrolled observational studies that it is followed, at least temporarily, by a high rate of spontaneous postoperative ovulation and conception, or that subsequent medical ovulation induction becomes easier. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of laparoscopic ovarian drilling for ovulation induction in subfertile women with anovulation (failure to ovulate) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). SEARCH STRATEGY: The search strategy of the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group was used for the identification of randomised controlled trials (RCTS). A computerised MEDLINE search was used to identify non randomised controlled trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Trials were eligible for inclusion if treatment consisted of laparoscopic ovarian drilling in order to induce ovulation in subfertile women with PCOS and compared with a concurrent control group. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Fourteen trials were identified; eight were included in the review of which seven were randomised. All trials were assessed for quality criteria. The main studied outcomes were ovulation and pregnancy rates. Miscarriage rate, multiple pregnancy rate, and incidence of overstimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome rate were secondary outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: With the exception of multiple pregnancy rates no differences were demonstrated for any of the interventions studied but the numbers of patients who have been randomised to controlled studies at this time is insufficient to conclude that laparoscopic ovarian drilling is more effective than gonadotrophin therapy for other outcomes. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The value of laparoscopic ovarian drilling as a primary treatment for subfertile patients with anovulation (failure to ovulate) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is undetermined. There is insufficient evidence to determine a difference in ovulation or pregnancy rates when compared to gonadotrophin therapy as a secondary treatment for clomiphene resistant women. Multiple pregnancy rates are reduced in those women who conceive following laparoscopic drilling. None of the studied modalities of drilling technique had any obvious advantages.

Anovulation↗
PubMed2004

Shortwave diathermy and prolonged stretching increase hamstring flexibility more than prolonged stretching alone.

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, counterbalanced 2x3x5 repeated-measures design. OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in hamstring flexibility after treatments of pulsed shortwave diathermy and prolonged stretch, sham diathermy and prolonged stretch, and control. BACKGROUND: Heat and stretch techniques have been touted for years. To date, the effect of shortwave diathermy and hamstring stretching has not been studied. Because diathermy heats a large area and penetrates deep into the muscle, use of this device prior to or during hamstring stretching may increase flexibility. METHODS AND MEASURES: Thirty college-age students (mean age, 21.5 years) with tight hamstrings (inability to achieve greater than 160 degrees knee extension at 90 degrees hip flexion) participated. Subjects were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: diathermy and stretch, sham diathermy and stretch, and control). Range of motion was recorded before and after each treatment for 5 days and on day 8. A straight leg-raise stretch was performed using a mechanical apparatus. Subjects in the diathermy-and-stretch group received 10 minutes of diathermy (distal hamstrings) followed by 5 minutes of simultaneous diathermy and stretch, followed by 5 minutes of stretching only. Subjects in the sham-diathermy-and-stretch group followed the same protocol, but with the diathermy unit turned off. Subjects in the control group lay on the table for 20 minutes. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA and post hoc t tests. RESULTS: Mean (+/- pooled SE) increases in knee extension after 5 days were 15.8 degrees 2.2 degrees for the diathermy-and-stretch group, 5.2 degrees +/- 2.2 degrees for the sham-diathermy-and-stretch group, and -0.3 degrees +/- 2.2 degrees for the control group. Seventy-two hours after the last treatment, the diathermy-and-stretch group lost 1.9 degrees +/- 2.2 degrees, the sham-diathermy-and-stretch group lost 3.0 degrees +/- 2.2 degrees, and the control group changed -0.4 degrees +/- 2.2 degrees. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that hamstring flexibility can be greatly improved when shortwave diathermy is used in conjunction with prolonged stretching.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The Carry-Over Effects of Diathermy and Stretching in Developing Hamstring Flexibility.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of low-load, short-duration stretching with or without high-intensity, pulsed short-wave diathermy on hamstring flexibility. DESIGN AND SETTING: We used a single-blind, repeated-measures design (pretest and posttest for all treatments) that included a placebo. The 3 independent variables were treatment mode, pretest and posttest measurements, and day. Treatment mode had 3 levels: diathermy and stretching, stretching alone, and control. The dependent variable was range of motion. Subjects were randomly assigned to the diathermy and stretching, stretching-only, or control group. Subjects were treated and tested each day (at approximately the same time) for 5 days, with a follow-up test administered 72 hours later. Hamstring flexibility was tested using a sit-and-reach box before and after each treatment. Diathermy and stretching subjects received a 15-minute diathermy treatment on the right hamstring at a setting of 7000 pulses per second, with an average pulse width of 95 μsec. Stretching-only subjects received a 15-minute sham diathermy treatment. Both diathermy and stretching and stretching-only subjects then performed three 30-second stretches (short duration) before being retested. Control subjects lay prone for 15 minutes before being retested. SUBJECTS: Thirty-seven healthy college students (11 men, 26 women, age = 20.46 +/- 1.74 years) volunteered. MEASUREMENTS: Hamstring flexibility was measured using a sit-and-reach box before and after each treatment. RESULTS: The average increases in hamstring flexibility over the 5 treatment days for the diathermy and stretching, stretching-only, and control groups were 6.06 cm (19.6%), 5.27 cm (19.7%), and 3.38 cm (10.4%), respectively. Three days later (after no treatment), the values for the diathermy and stretching, stretching-only, and control groups were 8.27 cm (26.7%), 6.83 cm (25.3%), and 4.15 cm (14.2%), respectively. No significant differences in hamstring flexibility were noted among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Diathermy and short-duration stretching were no more effective than short-duration stretching alone at increasing hamstring flexibility. The effects of diathermy with longer stretching times need to be researched.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Day-case stapled (circular) vs. diathermy hemorrhoidectomy: a randomized, controlled trial evaluating surgical and functional outcome.

PURPOSE: Stapled hemorrhoidectomy may be associated with less pain and faster recovery than conventional hemorrhoidectomy for prolapsing hemorrhoids. Therefore, the outcome of stapled hemorrhoidectomy was compared with that of diathermy hemorrhoidectomy in a randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty patients with third-degree hemorrhoids were randomly assigned to stapled hemorrhoidectomy (n = 30) or to diathermy hemorrhoidectomy in a day-case setting. Visual analog scale was used for postoperative pain scoring. Surgical and functional outcome was assessed at six weeks and one year after surgery. RESULTS: Operation time was a median of 21 (range, 11-59) minutes in the stapled group. 22 (range, 14-40) minutes in the diathermy group. Day-case surgery was successful in 24 patients (80 percent) in the stapled group vs. 29 patients (97 percent) in the diathermy group. Average pain in the stapled group was significantly lower than in the diathermy group (median, 1.8 (0.1-4.8) vs. 4.3 (1.4-6.2), 95 percent confidence interval difference medians, 1.15-3.85, P = 0.0002, Mann-Whitney U test) as was the average pain expected by the patients (median -2.7 (-0.15-0.8) vs. 0.006 (-4.05-0.5) respectively, 95 percent confidence interval difference medians, 0.5-3.55, P = 0.0018, Mann-Whitney U test). Postoperative morbidity and time off work were not significantly different between the diathermy and stapled groups. Seven treatment failures in the stapled group and one in the diathermy group necessitated other treatments at a later date. Patient satisfaction scores in the stapled and diathermy group were similar. Symptoms attributed to difficult rectal evacuation decreased significantly after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is a significantly less painful operation than diathermy hemorrhoidectomy, but does not seem to offer significant advantages in terms of hospital stay or symptom control in the long term. Hemorrhoidectomy may improve symptoms of difficult rectal evacuation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Post-operative morbidity following paediatric tonsillectomy; a comparison of bipolar diathermy dissection and blunt dissection.

In a prospective study of 76 children aged between 18 months and 13 years, 40 children underwent tonsillectomy using the traditional blunt dissection technique with bipolar diathermy to establish haemostasis while 36 children underwent tonsillectomy where bipolar diathermy alone was used to dissect out the tonsils. Blood loss was significantly reduced in the diathermy dissection group (10.5 ml +/- 2.05, diathermy dissection, 33.56 ml +/- 1.95, blunt dissection, P < 0.05). More analgesia was required in the diathermy dissection group prior to hospital discharge (P = 0.01). The diathermy dissection group took a significantly longer period of time to re-establish a normal diet (7.07 days +/- 0.44, diathermy dissection, 5.15 days +/- 0.36, blunt dissection, P = 0.001). Fifteen percent of children in the blunt dissection group and 31% in the diathermy dissection group were taken to the general practitioner between days 3-10 because of sore throat, poor oral intake or otalgia. Twenty two point four percent of children overall were prescribed antibiotics. This recently described technique of bipolar diathermy dissection could be a useful technique in selected cases such as the very small or those with a bleeding diathesis but is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and requires good postoperative analgesia.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2005

The prevention of neuroma formation by diathermy: an experimental study in the rat common peroneal nerve.

INTRODUCTION: There have been anecdotal reports of the efficacy of diathermy (electrocoagulation) in the prevention of neuroma formation. However, this has not been investigated in the laboratory. In this experiment involving 40 rats, diathermy was applied to the terminal proximal ends of transected rat common peroneal nerves to evaluate its effect on neuroma formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monopolar and bipolar diathermy set at 45 W, applied for different durations (4 seconds and 10 seconds), were evaluated. Under histological control, the presence of neuroma formation and the diameter of the nerve ends were evaluated at 3 months. The contralateral common peroneal nerve in the same rat served as the control. The dorsal root ganglia of 2 rats in each group were also harvested for histological study. RESULTS: The incidence of neuroma formation was 30% in the group which received high-duration monopolar diathermy (10-second application), versus 90% in the control group (P <0.05). The mean diameter of the nerve ends was smaller at 0.51 mm [standard deviation (SD), 0.29] versus 0.85 mm (SD, 0.24) in the control (P <0.05). The incidence of neuroma formation was 30% in the group which received low-duration monopolar diathermy (4-second application), and 83% in the control group (P <0.05). The diameter was 0.43 mm (SD, 0.14) versus 0.85 mm (SD, 0.28) (P <0.05). High-duration bipolar diathermy applied for 10 seconds, showed a neuroma formation of 25% versus 100% in the control group (P <0.05). The diameter of the nerve ends was 0.48 mm (SD, 0.07) versus 0.79 mm (SD, 0.36) in the control group (P <0.05). The incidence of neuroma formation was 60% in the low-duration bipolar group, which received bipolar diathermy application for 4 seconds, and 90% in the control group (P = 0.25). The diameter of the nerve ends in the low-duration bipolar group was 0.52 mm (SD, 0.24) versus 0.76 mm (SD, 0.40). The incidence of neuroma formation and the difference in diameter in the low duration-bipolar group were both not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of monopolar diathermy in reducing the rate of neuroma formation. For bipolar diathermy, an application of 10 seconds was effective in reducing neuroma formation but an application of 4 seconds was not associated with a significant reduction in neuroma formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Eliminating diathermy-induced artifacts during intraoperative monitoring of somatosensory-evoked potentials: a hardware solution.

Somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) recorded intraoperatively are often contaminated by artifacts arising from unipolar diathermy. This increases variability in serial SEP recordings and decreases the reliability of SEPs for intraoperative monitoring. Rejection of single sweeps on the basis of a voltage criterion can only partially prevent the inclusion of sweeps containing artifacts. We describe a low-cost hardware system that will halt SEP acquisition automatically before diathermy becomes active. Activation of the diathermy switch will halt SEP acquisition by sending a digital inhibit signal to the evoked potential machine via a fiberoptic cable. A timer delays the activation of the diathermy until the last sweep has been completed. To allow the electroencephalographic amplifiers to recover from any overload condition resulting from the high-voltage/high-frequency input during diathermy, acquisition is resumed only after a user-selectable time interval. The system was evaluated in 50 patients. It effectively interrupted SEP acquisition each time diathermy was used. By eliminating diathermy noise from the averaged waveforms, the system will allow evoked potential monitoring even during periods of intensive use of diathermy.

Artifacts↗
PubMed2006

Blood splash from different diathermy instruments during tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the potential risk of blood contamination of the surgeon's conjunctiva during tonsillectomy using disposable bipolar diathermy and reusable monopolar diathermy. DESIGN: A prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Elective tonsillectomy was performed using either disposable bipolar diathermy or reusable monopolar diathermy. The operating surgeon wore a ViewsafeTM protective eyeshield which was later examined under an operating microscope by a blinded observer and the number of blood spots counted. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients were enrolled. The relative risk of conjunctival contamination of the surgeon using disposable bipolar diathermy was 2.8 times that with reusable monopolar diathermy (chi-squared test, p < 0.0005). A previous history of peritonsillar abscess and additional adenoidectomy were associated with increased blood splatter. CONCLUSION: The use of disposable bipolar diathermy for haemostasis during tonsillectomy poses a greater risk of conjunctival contamination for the surgeon than using reusable monopolar diathermy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

A prospective study comparing diathermy and scalpel incisions in tension-free inguinal hernioplasty.

Although still controversial, the use of diathermy instead of scalpel for skin incision and underlying tissue dissection is gradually gaining wide acceptance. This is due to the observation that no change in wound complication rates or postoperative pain are reported with the use of electrocautery. However, these studies include operations without the use of prosthetic materials during abdominal wall closure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that a) application of extreme heat may result in significant postoperative pain and poor wound healing because of excessive tissue damage and scarring respectively, and b) skin incision with the use of diathermy entails increased risk of wound infection in the presence of an underlying prosthetic material. One hundred twenty-five consecutive patients submitted to inguinal hernioplasty using the tension-free technique and fulfilling the inclusion criteria for the study were allocated alternately to either scalpel (n = 60), or diathermy (n = 57) groups. Eight patients had bilateral hernias. Five of them were allocated to the scalpel group and three to the diathermy group. According to the study protocol, they received both approaches for skin and underlying tissues incision, thus resulting in a total of 68 scalpel and 65 diathermy individual hernioplasties. Parameters measured included blood loss during the skin incision and underlying tissue dissection, postoperative pain and requirements for analgesics, the presence of wound dehiscence in the absence of infection, and postoperative wound infection on the day of discharge, on the day staples were removed, and 1 month after surgery. The two groups of patients were similar in relation to patient demographics, type of hernias, and operation details. Blood loss was minimal, and the amount of blood lost did not differ between the two groups. Diathermy group patients required less parenteral analgesics on the first postoperative day. A higher proportion of patients in the scalpel group continued to need oral analgesics on the second postoperative day compared to patients in the diathermy group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of wound strength. Infectious complications were totally absent. The use of diathermy for skin incision during inguinal hernioplasty is as safe as the use of scalpel in terms of wound healing and reduces the analgesics requirements in the postoperative period.

Electrocoagulation↗
PubMed2004

The use of diathermy scissors in parotid gland surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefits, as well as the possible complications, of the use of diathermy scissors in parotid gland surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study of the surgical procedures of the diathermy scissors and a retrospective comparison with a conventionally treated control group concerning cut-closure time. SETTING: Tertiary care referral academic center. PATIENTS: Prospective examination of 30 unselected patients undergoing superficial (n=23) or subtotal/total (n=10) parotidectomies performed with diathermy scissors. Indications were benign tumors (n=18), malignant tumors (n=12), and cystic lesions (n=3). In a control group (n=50), 36 superficial and 21 subtotal/total parotidectomies were performed. RESULTS: The use of diathermy scissors reduces the need to frequently change dissecting and coagulating surgical instruments. The scissors reduce intraoperative bleeding and therefore improve visualization and orientation in the surgical field. Postoperative bleeding or seroma and Frey syndrome were not observed. In 1 case, a salivary fistula was present for 3 weeks. Three cases of transient facial weakness occurred, all of which completely resolved by 6 months after surgery. In the control group, the cut-closure time ranged from 50 to 120 minutes (average, 87.6 minutes) during superficial parotidectomy; it ranged from 80 to 160 minutes (average, 130.0 minutes) during subtotal and total parotidectomy. In comparison, in the study group, the average time gain was 16 minutes during superficial parotidectomy when diathermy scissors were used, a statistically significant difference (P=.03). During subtotal and total parotidectomy with diathermy scissors, the average time gain was 19.3 minutes and was statistically not significant (P=.23). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that diathermy scissors are very well suited for most of the surgical steps in parotid gland surgery. They provide an elegant, safe, and fast surgical procedure, especially in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

Cysts↗
PubMed1998

Endoscopic diathermy in patients with cardiac pacemakers.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Malfunction of cardiac pacemakers related to diathermy in surgical procedures has been reported, but the risks of endoscopic diathermy in pacemaker patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate current practice amongst British gastroenterologists regarding endoscopy in cardiac pacemaker patients. METHODS: An anonymous postal questionnaire survey of 634 members of the Endoscopy section of the British Society of Gastroenterology was conducted. RESULTS: 410/634 (65%) replied. Respondents conducted 59270 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures (ERCPs) and 88544 colonoscopies per year. 77.3% of respondents were aware of the possibility of adverse interactions between diathermy and pacemakers. 74.2% enquired whether a pacemaker was present prior to endoscopy. In cases where patients were known to have pacemakers fitted, 23.9% recorded an electrocardiogram (ECG) prior to endoscopic diathermy, 36.2% conducted ECG monitoring during the procedure, 35.9% consulted a cardiologist or pacemaker technician and 13.4% carried out specific preventative measures. 4.1% of all respondents were aware of instances of pacemaker malfunction having occurred during endoscopic diathermy. CONCLUSION: Most gastroenterologists surveyed were aware of the possibility of adverse interactions between diathermy and cardiac pacemakers, but few undertook measures to detect or prevent pacemaker malfunction. Endoscopic diathermy in cardiac pacemaker patients, however, appears generally safe, although the endoscopist should be aware of the small chance of an adverse interaction.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗