Electrocautery
Electrocautery
Electrocautery, also known as thermal cautery, refers to a process in which a direct or alternating current is passed through a resistant metal wire electrode, generating heat. The heated electrode is then applied to living tissue to achieve hemostasis or varying degrees of tissue destruction. [1] Electrocautery can be used in various minor surgical procedures in dermatology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and urology.
In electrocautery, the current does not pass through the patient; thus, the procedure can be safely used in patients with implanted electrical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and deep-brain stimulators.
Basic Physics Terminology
-
Voltage (volts): force that pushes the current (“Potential
Energy”).
- – More force = more destruction
-
Resistance (ohm): quality of tissue that impedes flow of
current.
- More resistance = less current flow.
- Resistance of skin > bone > fat > muscle > bowel wall (326 ohms) > blood.
- Intensity (amps): amount of electricity crossing an area (wire), per second.
- Current Density (amp/cm 2): amount of current flowing through a cross sectional area = Current Intensity(amps)/area(cm2)
risks of electrocauterization
The treatment itself has minimal risks. Risks of electrocauterization may include:
- slight bleeding
- infection; your doctor may give you antibiotics to reduce this risk
- pain or mild discomfort; your doctor may prescribe you pain medication for after the procedure
Tell your doctor if you have a pacemaker or prosthetic joint before undergoing this treatment.
Make an Appointment
Magnam dolores commodi suscipit. Necessitatibus eius consequatur ex aliquid fuga eum quidem. Sit sint consectetur velit. Quisquam quos quisquam cupiditate. Et nemo qui impedit suscipit alias ea. Quia fugiat sit in iste officiis commodi quidem hic quas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Magnam dolores commodi suscipit. Necessitatibus eius consequatur ex aliquid fuga eum quidem. Sit sint consectetur velit. Quisquam quos quisquam cupiditate. Et nemo qui impedit suscipit alias ea. Quia fugiat sit in iste officiis commodi quidem hic quas.
-
Non consectetur a erat nam at lectus urna duis?
Feugiat pretium nibh ipsum consequat. Tempus iaculis urna id volutpat lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Venenatis lectus magna fringilla urna porttitor rhoncus dolor purus non.
-
Feugiat scelerisque varius morbi enim nunc?
Dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi. Id interdum velit laoreet id donec ultrices. Fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend donec pretium. Est pellentesque elit ullamcorper dignissim. Mauris ultrices eros in cursus turpis massa tincidunt dui.
-
Dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit?
Eleifend mi in nulla posuere sollicitudin aliquam ultrices sagittis orci. Faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim. Sem nulla pharetra diam sit amet nisl suscipit. Rutrum tellus pellentesque eu tincidunt. Lectus urna duis convallis convallis tellus. Urna molestie at elementum eu facilisis sed odio morbi quis
-
Tempus quam pellentesque nec nam aliquam sem et tortor consequat?
Molestie a iaculis at erat pellentesque adipiscing commodo. Dignissim suspendisse in est ante in. Nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan. Sit amet nisl suscipit adipiscing bibendum est. Purus gravida quis blandit turpis cursus in.
-
Tortor vitae purus faucibus ornare. Varius vel pharetra vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor?
Laoreet sit amet cursus sit amet dictum sit amet justo. Mauris vitae ultricies leo integer malesuada nunc vel. Tincidunt eget nullam non nisi est sit amet. Turpis nunc eget lorem dolor sed. Ut venenatis tellus in metus vulputate eu scelerisque.