Patient Return Electrode
ESU Dispersive Pad · Dispersive Electrode · Dispersive Pad · Grounding Pad · Bovie Pad · Return Pad · Pre · Inactive Electrode · REM Pad
A flat, single-use adhesive pad with a conductive gel surface, about the size of a hand, with a tab or cable that plugs into the electrosurgeryee-LEK-troh-SUR-jer-eeUsing high-frequency electric current through a handheld tool to cut tissue or seal bleeding vessels during surgery.Full entry . Split (dual-foil) pads have two separate halves so the generator can check skin contact.
On the table
What it does, the lengths it comes in and what experienced techs know about it.
What it’s for
Completes the circuit in monopolar electrosurgeryee-LEK-troh-SUR-jer-eeUsing high-frequency electric current through a handheld tool to cut tissue or seal bleeding vessels during surgery.Full entry . Current goes from the ESU pencil through the patient and leaves through the pad, back to the generator, so it does not exit through a small contact point and burnBURNAn injury to the skin or deeper tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation or friction.Full entry the patient. It is placed by the circulator on every case that uses a monopolar ESU, after final positioning.
Lengths and variants
Adult and pediatric sizes; solid or split pads; with an attached cable or with a tab for a reusable cable. Reusable dispersive electrodes also exist.
What experienced techs know
What techs who reach for it every day know about it.Pro
Through the case
In the order you meet it: before, during and after the case.
- Before the case
Inspection and testing
What to check before it reaches the field.Pro
- During the case
Caution
What not to do with it, and why.Pro
Know it on sight.
With Pro, for every instrument in the library. Cancel any time.
Or scrub in free: 5 questions a day.
On 156 setups
Every setup it is laid out on.
Every setup this instrument is laid out on, with photos of each table.
See ProKnow this instrument?
Send a clearer photo, another name it goes by, or a fix for this page.
4 sources
- Fuller JK. Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Chapter 15 (Energy Sources in Surgery), p. 299-300 (Box 15.2)
- Rothrock JC. Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery. 17th ed. Chapter 8 (Surgical Modalities), p. 221-222
- relinkonline.com
- relinkonline.com
The rest of this card is Pro.
The photos, the description, the uses and the lengths stay free. Pro opens the rest on every instrument: the 3D model, the notes from the table, where it is kept, every setup it is on, and practice.
Free, for good. No card.
- All 3,254 instrument cards
- Every General setup in full
- 5 exam questions a day
- Your own preference cards
Pass your exam. Know every case.
Everything in Free, plus:
- All 294 setups in every specialty: back table, Mayo and every step
- Practice that never runs out and full timed exams for the CST, TS-C, CRCST, CSPDT and CSFA, with the why behind every answer
- Flashcards on any tray, timed to come back before you forget
- Every instrument card in full: the 3D model, cautions, inspection, how to pass it
Cancel any time from your account. Not worth it? Email us within 30 days of a charge for a refund, one per customer. Refund policy
Pro is also in the CSTSetup app, on the same account. Already have Pro? Log in
Send a photo or a fix
A photo of it on your tray, a name your OR calls it, or anything wrong on this page. Your email is only used to credit you. Submissions stay private and are reviewed by our team; accepted ones earn a Contributor credit here.