Background:
Recent high-tech surgical energy devices are well-designed for unique action, but they are lacking in versatility. Therefore multiple energy devices often contaminate the operation table. Moreover, the expense for disposable unit of these instruments is by no means negligible. We made a little ingenuity for transforming a common monopolar electrocautery into a water- irrigating one by an opportunistic use of Foley catheter.

Material and Methods:
A common 22-Fr Foley catheter was cut short to about 8cm. The urine port was shortened so that a hand piece of a cautery can be stuck in it. The shaft of the 5-mm ball electrode (13-cm length) was inlayed in the urine drainage channel. The valve of the balloon port was cut off and an extension tube was equipped.

Result:
Upon hepatic parenchymal resection, only the electrode of cautery was replaced by the ball electrode prepared as in materials. The hand piece was connected to the electrode inside the urine port. The balloon channel was used for introducing a saline solution. In harmony with the resection by CUSA, small Glissons and hepatic veins were coagulated using the ball electrode with saline irrigation. Soft coagulation mode produced a more satisfactory sealing effect. Sealed funiculi were then cut by scissors sharply. There was neither postoperative bleeding nor significant bile leakage up to now.

Conclusion:
Our improvised water-irrigating monopolar electrocautery can be easily fabricated within several minutes using inexpensive, common medical supplies, and yields satisfactory effects without increasing the number of energy device for single surgery.