Ace the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Exam 2026 – Slice Through with Confidence!

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In monopolar desiccation, which sequence best describes the tissue changes?

Tissue becomes cold, water condenses, resistance decreases, current increases indefinitely, tissue remains unchanged.

Tissue temperature rises, water evaporates from tissue, impedance increases, electricity stops flowing due to increased resistance, tissue turns brown with bubbles and steam.

In monopolar desiccation, tissue heating from the delivered electrical energy starts the process. As the tissue heats, water inside the cells and in the extracellular space boils and evaporates. Once the tissue dries, its ability to conduct electricity drops, so impedance rises. With higher resistance, the current flow diminishes and can effectively stop as the tissue becomes desiccated. The remaining tissue then appears brown from coagulation and dehydration, and visible bubbles or steam can form from the remaining moisture flashing to vapor. This sequence—temperature rise, water evaporation, increasing impedance, loss of current due to higher resistance, and browning with bubbles/steam—best matches how monopolar desiccation changes occur.

Temperature rises but water content increases, impedance decreases, current increases until coagulation.

Tissue leaves a chemical residue and forms a protective film.