Patent ID: 7001380

Claim:
A method of treating tissue located in the throat, nasopharynx, oropharynx and/or larynx of a patient using an electrosurgical system comprising: an electrosurgical generator adapted to generate a radio frequency oscillating voltage output across first and second output terminals; an electrosurgical instrument having an active tissue treatment electrode connected to the first generator output terminal; fluid delivery means for delivering electrically-conductive fluid to the lesion to be treated; and a return electrode connected to the second generator output terminal, the method comprising the steps of: isolating from the trachea and lungs, in a substantially fluid-tight manner, a space including the nasopharynx, oropharynx or pharynx and larynx, and within which at least the active electrode is located; operating the fluid delivery means at least partly to fill the space with electrically-conductive fluid; operating the generator to apply a radio frequency voltage between the active and return electrodes, and completing at least a part of a conduction path between the active and return electrodes using the electrically-conductive fluid; and manipulating the active electrode in the vicinity of the tissue to be treated.