an electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non - conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface . the head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion . the flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface . the head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface . a method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface , and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface .