What effect does using a larger electrode have without active cooling during tissue ablation?

Using a larger electrode during tissue ablation without active cooling typically causes more damage to the surrounding tissues. This is because a larger electrode increases the surface area of energy delivery to the tissue. The larger surface area can lead to a more extensive area being heated, which might amplify thermal injury beyond the intended lesion margin.

In the absence of active cooling, the risk of overheating adjacent tissues rises significantly, increasing the likelihood of collateral damage. As the thermal energy disperses from the larger electrode, it can inadvertently affect a wider area, resulting in more extensive necrosis. Thus, the correct understanding is that a larger electrode without cooling mechanisms contributes to an increase in thermal damage rather than controlling it.