A versatile irrigation system dissector for laparoscopic surgery comprises an elongated lumen having an elongated slim tip electrode slidably mounted therein and having a cutting tip extendable therefrom at one end. The lumen is connected at the other end to a manifold mounted on a handle, which includes a pair of switches to regulate the inlet and outlet flow through the lumen for irrigation and suction purposes. A control panel on the handle regulates the current to the tip for either cutting or coagulating. Thus, several operations may be performed with a single handheld instrument in a highly efficient and rapid action.