Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a handle with a hollow elongate configuration and an electrosurgical assembly having ends disposed within the hollow handle and forming a continuous loop moveable by operation of the handle between an enlarged state and a contracted state. An electrosurgical element included in the assembly has an outer surface and axis and a lumen extending along the axis. Transverse portions of the element define a plurality of slots extending transverse to the axis and providing fluid communication between the lumen and the outer surface of the element. The element includes an insulated backbone and a plurality of ribs disposed to extend in space relationship to each other transverse to the backbone. A method of manufacture includes the step of creating slots in the element to define the ribs in the backbone.