An electrosurgical apparatus is provided including a housing, a flexible shaft, and a distal tip. The housing may further be coupled to an electrosurgical generator and gas supply. The distal tip of the electrosurgical apparatus may be grasped by a grasping tool, such that the orientation and position of the distal tip relative to the housing may be manipulated to achieve a plurality of positions. The electrosurgical apparatus provides electrosurgical energy and inert gas to an electrode within the distal tip of the electrosurgical apparatus to generate a plasma beam. In one aspect, the electrode is a retractable blade such that the electrosurgical apparatus can be used for mechanical and electrosurgical cutting during surgery when the electrode is in an extended position and for cold plasma applications during surgery when the electrode is in a retracted position.
