Electrosurgical instruments are configured to provide increased ablative capability without requiring increased
current density at the
electrode. The electrosurgical instrument includes an elongate probe having a
handle portion and a distal end. An
electrode is disposed at the distal end and is configured to ablate tissue. The instrument includes an aspiration lumen, e.g., that may open through the
electrode, at the distal end to aspirate fluid, tissue debris, and gaseous bubbles through the aspiration lumen. The electrosurgical instrument includes a user operable control (e.g., button) on the
handle portion for selectively placing the instrument in boosted
ablation mode, which can be achieved by restricting aspiration of fluid through the aspiration lumen, reducing
active cooling of the electrode, and causing increased ablative sparking density at the electrode (e.g., by at least 10%, 20%, 35%, or 50%).