Cauterisation is a simple, quick and effective method in which electric current is used for the controlled destruction of tissue, cutting and bleeding control in the treatment of various benign and malignant skin lesions. Its most important drawback is that, because the tissue is destroyed, the cauterised lesion cannot be examined pathologically. For this reason, a biopsy must always be taken before the procedure from lesions that may be malignant.

Electrocautery devices are used in the fields of dermatology, ENT, obstetrics and gynaecology, general surgery, neurosurgery, dentistry and veterinary medicine to perform operations with coagulation.

Electrocautery devices generate high-frequency RF waves. These waves create sudden heat at the point of application, vaporising the fluid of living cells and rupturing and destroying the cell membrane. Cutting and destruction take place as this breakdown continues in a chain.

High-frequency electromagnetic waves also have coagulating properties. The coagulating property of the electromagnetic waves can be decreased or increased by modulating the waves in various ways.

Electrocautery devices perform the following procedures optimally:

1. Cutting and destruction,
2. Providing coagulation during cutting and destruction,
3. Coagulation and spray coagulation. In addition to models designed only for monopolar procedures, there are also models that can perform both monopolar and bipolar procedures (with the ability to coagulate with special forceps in a wet or fluid environment).

For centuries, heated metal was used to burn tissue, destroy microorganisms and control bleeding. The metal tip was first heated with fire; later, electricity was used for this, giving rise to electrocautery.

Cauterisation is used for benign growths such as warts, genital warts and skin tags, for some vascular lesions and, relatively rarely, in the treatment of skin cancers.

Before the procedure, the skin is usually numbed with local anaesthesia and cleaned with an alcohol-free antiseptic. The cauterisation is then performed.

After cauterisation, lightening or darkening of the skin may occur. There is also a risk of scarring.

Cauterisation is generally not performed on patients with a pacemaker.

Conditions most commonly treated with cautery in dermatology

* Warts
* Seborrhoeic keratosis
* Sebaceous hyperplasia
* Epidermal cysts
* Molluscum contagiosum
* Pyogenic granuloma