Urology The most common use of electrosurgery for urology in the operating theatre is for trans-urethral-resection (T.U.R.)

Trans-urethral-resections involve the filling of the bladder with an appropriate salt balanced solution and the use of an operating resectoscope to perform cutting and coagulation of tissue in this solution. Higher power settings are usually required for T.U.R.s due to the "power loss" of electrosurgery current, being conducted away from the intended operation site by the fluid A salt balanced solution is used to reduce this "power reduction". It is not, however, a good conductor of electricity, but it has the correct osmolarity.

The use of tap water (for example) and saline solutions should not be used for T.U.R.s. Both are conductors of electricity, due to dissolved salt deposits. High output settings would be required with either solution and the possibility of effecting tissue in the whole bladder is a major possibility. It is because of the conductive nature of any salt solution that the irrigating solution used for T.U.R.s is frequently replaced due to cells releasing salt when they are cut or coagulated.