Electrosurgical instrument having alternative extendable tips

An electrosurgical scalpel includes a hand-held tubular housing having a cable which extends from the housing to an electrosurgical current generator. At least two, and preferably three, conductive blades are retractable to within the housing. The surgeon, using a finger, may selectively extend one blade at a time, so that the extended blade protrudes through a front (distal) orifice of the housing. The blades are different in size and/or shape from each other and may, by finger operation of a switch mounted on the housing, be used for cutting tissue or, alternatively, for applying coagulation current.