electrocautery

electrocautery /elec·tro·cau·tery/ (-kaw´ter-e) an apparatus for surgical dissection and hemostasis, using heat generated by a high-voltage, high-frequency alternating current passed through an electrode.

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e·lec·tro·cau·ter·y (-lktr-kôt-r)

n.

1. An instrument for directing a high-frequency current through a local area of tissue.

2. A metal cauterizing instrument heated by electricity.

3. The cauterization of tissue by means of one of these instruments.

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electrocautery

[ilek′trōkô′tərē]

Etymology: Gk, elektron + kauterion, branding iron

the application of a needle or snare heated by electric current for the destruction of tissue, such as for removing warts or polyps and cauterizing small blood vessels to limit blood loss during surgery. Also called electric cautery, galvanic cautery, galvanocautery. See also diathermy.

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electrocautery [e-lek″tro-kaw´ter-e]

1. an apparatus for surgical dissection and hemostasis, using heat generated by a high-voltage, high-frequency alternating current passed through an electrode.

2. the cauterization of tissue using such an instrument.

bipolar electrocautery an electrocautery in which both active and return electrodes are incorporated into a single handheld instrument, so that the current passes between the tips of the two electrodes and affects only a small amount of tissue.

monopolar electrocautery (unipolar electrocautery) an electrocautery in which current is applied through a handheld active electrode and travels back to the generator through an inactive electrode attached to the patient (the grounding pad), so that the patient is part of the electrical circuit.

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electrocautery

cauterization of tissue by means of an electrode that consists of a red hot piece of metal, such as a wire, held in a holder, and is heated by either direct or alternating current. The term electrocautery is used to refer to both the procedure and the instrument used in the procedure.