A surgical system, comprising: a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe having a tip and being adapted for connection to an electrosurgical generator for effecting at the tip thereof an electrosurgical procedure within the patient's body, the first surgical instrument adapted to be deployed through an introducer device; a second surgical instrument (562, 564) for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure, a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument and connected to a reference potential; and a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument (562, 564) and to the reference potential, whereby any current which flows from the active electrode probe to the second surgical instrument (562, 564) is conducted to the reference potential; characterized in that the introducer device is adapted to deliver a plurality of surgical instruments (560, 562, 564) to a site within a patient's body; wherein the second surgical instrument (562, 564) is adapted to be deployed through the introducer device; and wherein the cold instrument monitor comprises: a sensing tube surrounding at least a portion of the second surgical instrument (562, 564); and first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508) connected to the second surgical instrument (562, 564) and adapted to detect a voltage (Vi) in the second surgical instrument (562, 564), the first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508) electrically coupled to a connection monitor, the connection monitor adapted to determine one or more of the voltage, current, impedance and resistance generated at the first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508), further comprising a voltage sensor coupled to the sensing tube, wherein the connection monitor and the voltage sensor are coupled to a processor adapted to determine whether a fault condition exists at the second surgical instrument (562, 564). a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe having a tip and being adapted for connection to an electrosurgical generator for effecting at the tip thereof an electrosurgical procedure within the patient's body, the first surgical instrument adapted to be deployed through an introducer device; a second surgical instrument (562, 564) for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure, a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument and connected to a reference potential; and a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument (562, 564) and to the reference potential, whereby any current which flows from the active electrode probe to the second surgical instrument (562, 564) is conducted to the reference potential; characterized in that the introducer device is adapted to deliver a plurality of surgical instruments (560, 562, 564) to a site within a patient's body; wherein the second surgical instrument (562, 564) is adapted to be deployed through the introducer device; and wherein the cold instrument monitor comprises: a sensing tube surrounding at least a portion of the second surgical instrument (562, 564); and first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508) connected to the second surgical instrument (562, 564) and adapted to detect a voltage (Vi) in the second surgical instrument (562, 564), the first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508) electrically coupled to a connection monitor, the connection monitor adapted to determine one or more of the voltage, current, impedance and resistance generated at the first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508), further comprising a voltage sensor coupled to the sensing tube, wherein the connection monitor and the voltage sensor are coupled to a processor adapted to determine whether a fault condition exists at the second surgical instrument (562, 564). a sensing tube surrounding at least a portion of the second surgical instrument (562, 564); and first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508) connected to the second surgical instrument (562, 564) and adapted to detect a voltage (Vi) in the second surgical instrument (562, 564), the first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508) electrically coupled to a connection monitor, the connection monitor adapted to determine one or more of the voltage, current, impedance and resistance generated at the first and second monitoring contacts (506, 508), further comprising a voltage sensor coupled to the sensing tube, wherein the connection monitor and the voltage sensor are coupled to a processor adapted to determine whether a fault condition exists at the second surgical instrument (562, 564).