A bipolar electrosurgical instrument (1) is when connected to an electrosurgical generator (2) particular suited for performing laparoscopic procedures such as LASH. The instrument (1) has a hollow shaft (3) sized to fit through a laparoscopic port and a proximal end (4) and a distal end (5), a loop electrode (8) constituted by an electrically conductive resilient looped wire provided with a first means (9) for reciprocating the loop electrode (8) between a retracted position inside the hollow shaft (3) to a second position in which at least a part of the loop electrode (8) is emerged from the distal end (5) of the hollow shaft (3), and at least two return electrodes (11a,11b,11c,11d) provided with second means (13a,13b,13c,13c,14) for reciprocating the at least two return electrodes (11a,11b,11c,11d) between a retracted position inside the hollow shaft (3) to a second position in which at least a part of the return electrodes (11a,11b,11c,11d) are emerged from the distal end (5) of the hollow shaft (3), a third means (C) for measuring the impedance, resistance or capacity in an object between the at least two return electrodes (11a,11b,11c,11d), and a fourth means (B) for applying power to the loop electrode when said value of the impedance, resistance or capacity is below a predetermined value and/or in a predetermined period of time. Use of the instrument (1) reduces surgical time and is safer than known bipolar and monopolar electrosurgical instruments.
