Monopolar Electrosurgery

The active electrode is in the wound.

The patient return electrode is attached somewhere else on the patient.

The current must flow through the patient to the patient return electrode.

Monopolar

Monopolar is the most commonly used electrosurgical modality. This is due to its versatility and clinical effectiveness. In monopolar electrosurgery, the active electrode is in the surgical site. The patient return electrode is somewhere else on the patient’s body. The current passes through the patient as it completes the circuit from the active electrode to the patient return electrode.

Monopolar Circuit

This picture represents a common monopolar circuit. There are four components to the monopolar circuit:
Generator
Active Electrode
Patient
Patient Return Electrode

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