Some of the terminology used to describe electrosurgery is confusing. The aim of the procedure is to perform cauterisation. The word cautery originates from the latin, meaning to brand. It relates to the coagulation or destruction of tissue by heat or a caustic substance.
Electrosurgery (particularly electrocoagulation) is sometimes incorrectly called diathermy, which means ‘dielectrical heat’. Diathermy is produced by rotation of molecular dipoles in high frequency alternating electric field – the effect produced by a microwave oven.
The term electrocautery is most often used in reference to a device in which a direct current is used to heat the cautery probe. As no current flows through the patient, this is not a true form of electrosurgery. It is therefore preferable to use the term thermocautery for these devices.
Electrosurgery includes:
Electrofulguration (results in sparks)
Electrodesiccation (dehydration of superficial tissue)
Electrocoagulation (cause bleeding blood vessels to clot)
Electrosection (cut through tissue)
Thermocautery
Radiofrequency devices (very high frequency, for cutting [>1,500kHz]
Electrosurgery may be monoterminal, monopolar or bipolar.
Jinhua Huacheng Medical Appliance Co.,Ltd.
Manufactuer of disposable medical products: Electrosurgical pencil,grounding plate,skin stapler and ECG electrodes.
