The instrument has a probe tube (21) provided for transporting fluid, and distal and proximal electrodes (30, 35) provided for devitalizing tissue. An electrical lead provides a high frequency (HF) voltage at the electrodes and designed as a conducting foil (24) that is arranged along a longitudinal axis (27) of the probe tube. The conducting foil is made of gold, silver, copper or an alloy of gold, silver and copper and formed as a helical structure along the probe tube. The transported fluid is gas, liquid or gas-liquid mixture, and an insulating layer (26) is formed for fixing the foil. An independent claim is also included for a method for producing an electrosurgical instrument.