Electrocauterization
Electrocauterization is a surgical technique that utilizes an electrical instrument to cauterize tissues, effectively sealing blood vessels to control bleeding during and after surgical procedures. This method is particularly beneficial in various surgeries, including the removal of unwanted tissue such as skin lesions, nasal growths, and noncancerous polyps in the colon. There are two main types of electrocauterization: monopolar, which uses a single electrode, and bipolar, which functions similarly to tweezers with a dual-headed probe. Local anesthesia is typically administered before the procedure, and a grounding pad is placed on the patient to prevent electrical shock.
Electrocauterization is praised for its precision and reduced blood loss, with a typical healing time of two to three weeks following the procedure. However, patients may experience side effects such as pain, swelling, and redness, along with potential complications like infections or burns from excessive heat. In some cases, electrocauterization can affect future medical evaluations, such as Pap tests. While effective, it’s important for patients to be aware of the risks involved and discuss these with their healthcare provider.
Electrocauterization
Anatomy or system affected: Blood vessels, cells, circulatory system, joints, ligaments, muscles, skin, uterus
Definition: The surgical control of bleeding from small blood vessels or the removal of unwanted tissue using a controlled electric current.
Indications and Procedures
Electrocauterization is a procedure used in many surgical operations. As a surgeon’s scalpel penetrates layers of skin and tissue, numerous tiny blood vessels are cut open. To stop the associated bleeding, an assisting surgeon can seal these vessels immediately using an electrical instrument to burn just enough of the tissue to produce a tiny scar. Electrocauterization is also used to destroy unwanted tissue, such as skin lesions.
There are two primary methods to perform electrocauterization. The first, called monopolar, employs one electrode to apply electrical current to the tissue. The second form, bipolar, is similar to tweezers where it employs a dual-headed probe.
Prior to any surgery involving electrocautery, local anesthesia is applied by injection. Electrocauterization is carried out with a small needle probe that is heated with an electrical current. Enough current is applied to heat the probe to temperatures at which blood will coagulate. To prevent electrical shock, a grounding pad is placed on the patient and a small electrode is attached to the skin near the surgery site to direct any excess current away from the body. Depending on the surgery site and the size and shape of unwanted tissue, the cautery pattern may be circular, dotted, or linear. In some applications, a temperature sensor near the electrical probe allows a microprocessor-based control unit to regulate the delivered electrical power as a function of tissue temperature.
Uses and Complications
Electrocauterization is commonly used to destroy unwanted tissue. It has been applied to remove growths in the nasal passage, noncancerous polyps in the colon, canker sores, and lesions on or around the skin, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, joints, and bones. It is used to stop bleeding during surgery and also when biopsies are performed. It has been used in women to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix and abnormal uterine bleeding that is not caused by menstruation. The advantages of electrocauterization are in the precision it affords, its high rates of success, and the amount of blood that may be lost in a surgical procedure.
The healing time after electrocauterization procedures is usually two to three weeks. After electrocautery, a patient may experience pain, swelling, redness, drainage, bleeding, bruising, scarring, or itching at or around the surgery site. Headache, muscle aches, dizziness, fever, tiredness, and a general ill feeling may also occur following electrocauterization. Skin may also show a sensitivity to sunlight. The most serious complication can be the onset of infection. Antibiotics are typically administered if this occurs. Acetaminophen is used to diminish pain.
Excessive electrocautery can produce superficial to deep burns, which can be treated with cold packs. Electrocauterization of the cervix may lead to the misinterpretation of future Pap tests. When electrocauterization is performed multiple times to stop the occurrence of frequent nosebleeds, scar tissue can build up in the nose, leading to increased nosebleeds because of the lack of elasticity of scar tissue. Other risks from electrocauterization include infections and heart complications
Bibliography
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