An electrosurgical electrode comprises an elongated body having a cross-sectional area and longitudinal side edges forming longitudinal cutting edges adapted for electrosurgical dissection along a plane. The body has a configuration, wherein: the thickness of the side edge is less than or equal to 0.01″, forming only one cutting edge, and the cross-sectional area-to-number of cutting edges ratio is less than or equal to 0.000150 in2 per cutting edge; or the thickness of a first side edge is greater than 0.01″ and the thickness of a second side edge is less than or equal to 0.01″, and the cross-sectional area-to-number of cutting edges ratio is less than or equal to 0.001 in2 per cutting edge.