An electrosurgical tool for use in performing surgery on a surgical site, said electrosurgical tool comprising: an elongate, non-conductive housing having a rear end , a front end , and an elongate passage extending into the housing from the front end; an elongate electrode for performing electrosurgery mounted in said elongate passage and slidable therein, said electrode having an operating forward section projecting from said housing, an insulated central section , and a non-insulated rear section , the position of said electrode being adjustable in its longitudinal direction by a user between a retracted position and a selected one of a plurality of extended positions; an electrically conducting member mounted on said rear section of the electrode and slidable therewith; an elongate conducting strip fixedly mounted in said elongate passage adjacent one side of said electrode and parallel thereto, said strip being supported by said housing so as to be in electrical contact with said electrically conducting member, which is slidable relative to said conducting strip; and an electrical circuit board for controlling electrical operation of said electrode, said circuit board being mounted in said housing, connected to said conducting strip, and connectable to a power source, wherein, during use of said tool, said circuit board can provide electrical current through said conducting strip to said electrode in the retracted position and in any one of said extended positions of said electrode, wherein said electrically conducting member has at least one longitudinal flange formed along one exterior side thereof, said housing has integral transverse ribs formed along said elongate passage, and a series of slots are formed respectively in said transverse ribs to receive said at least one longitudinal flange and thereby prevent rotation of said electrically conducting member and said electrode about their longitudinal axes. an elongate, non-conductive housing having a rear end , a front end , and an elongate passage extending into the housing from the front end; an elongate electrode for performing electrosurgery mounted in said elongate passage and slidable therein, said electrode having an operating forward section projecting from said housing, an insulated central section , and a non-insulated rear section , the position of said electrode being adjustable in its longitudinal direction by a user between a retracted position and a selected one of a plurality of extended positions; an electrically conducting member mounted on said rear section of the electrode and slidable therewith; an elongate conducting strip fixedly mounted in said elongate passage adjacent one side of said electrode and parallel thereto, said strip being supported by said housing so as to be in electrical contact with said electrically conducting member, which is slidable relative to said conducting strip; and an electrical circuit board for controlling electrical operation of said electrode, said circuit board being mounted in said housing, connected to said conducting strip, and connectable to a power source, wherein, during use of said tool, said circuit board can provide electrical current through said conducting strip to said electrode in the retracted position and in any one of said extended positions of said electrode, wherein said electrically conducting member has at least one longitudinal flange formed along one exterior side thereof, said housing has integral transverse ribs formed along said elongate passage, and a series of slots are formed respectively in said transverse ribs to receive said at least one longitudinal flange and thereby prevent rotation of said electrically conducting member and said electrode about their longitudinal axes. <EOS>