Surgical Tech Practice Exam

What surgical procedure is most likely to utilize a coblator?

1. Appendectomy

2. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

3. Cholecystectomy

4. Hernia repair

The correct answer is: Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

A coblator is a device that uses radiofrequency energy to create a plasma field, which can remove or ablate tissue with minimal thermal damage to surrounding areas. This technique is particularly beneficial in delicate and anatomically complex environments, where precision is crucial. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) often employs a coblator because it allows surgeons to remove obstructive or diseased tissue from the sinus cavities while preserving healthy surrounding tissues. The coblation technique minimizes bleeding and reduces swelling, which is especially important in the close quarters of the nasal and sinus anatomy. In contrast, procedures like appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and hernia repair generally rely on traditional surgical techniques such as cutting and dissection, which may not require the specific benefits provided by coblation. Therefore, while a coblator can have a role in these actions, it is not as integral or characteristic for those procedures as it is for FESS, where reducing collateral damage is particularly critical.