An electrosurgical pencil for use in performing surgery on a surgical site includes a main body forming a handle grippable by user and having open front and rear ends. The pencil has a vent tube open at its forward end, and slidably mounted in the body. The tube is adjustable independently from a retracted position to various extended positions. An elongate electrode is mounted in the tube and independently slidable therein. The electrode is adjustable manually in its longitudinal direction from a retracted position to extended positions. A first conducting strip can be mounted in the vent rube in contact with the electrode. A second conducting strip can be mounted in the main body and is in sliding contact with the first strip in order to provide power to the electrode.