A surgical system and associated method for fusing tissue are disclosed. The system has an electrosurgical generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power, a surgical instrument, and a power control circuit. The surgical instrument is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to transfer electrosurgical power from the electrosurgical generator to a distal end of the surgical instrument. The power control circuit controls the delivery of radio frequency energy to tissue in contact with the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgical system is configured to deliver radio frequency energy at a non-pulsing power to the tissue for a period of time of 3 seconds or less. The non-pulsing power has no less than 7 Watts and no more than 35 Watts, and further causes the tissue to begin to desiccate and to fuse within the period of time.