Electropuncture

Electropuncture, the application of electric current, most often galvanic, in the form of one or two needle-shaped electrodes inserted into the tissue to be treated. The most suitable electrode for electropuncture is the Bourdet electrode, in which the peripherally located pole in the form of a ring is covered with sponge and cloth, while the central pole consists of a metal point that can be inserted to any depth. The instrumentation for electropuncture consists of an appropriate battery, suitable rheostat, milliampere meter, wires, and electrodes. As a current source, Grenet battery, pantostat, or ordinary storage battery for therapeutic purposes can be used. The strength of current used in electropuncture varies, from several tens to hundreds of milliamperes. Needle electrodes are recommended to be made of gold or platinum iridium. At the end of the session, the needle electrode is removed slowly, with continuous turning. The puncture site is covered with gauze smeared with collodion, and on top an ice blister is applied. Usually the active electrode is connected to the positive pole. Electropuncture (galvanolysis-galvanopuncture) is used for destroying vascular-rich tumors, for ulcerated tumors, for angiomas, aneurysms, varicose veins, and for treating various constrictions. Electropuncture does not lead to complications, healing occurs faster, without suppuration, the course is more favorable, the scar is smaller than in operations. Bleeding usually does not occur. Besides its chemical action, galvanopuncture also exhibits cataphoric, vasomotor, trophic, and stimulating effects. This method of treatment for aneurysms, almost unused in our country, is designed to form fibrin clots that fill and thrombose the aneurysmal sac. In this, cases of embolism have not been observed.