Cautery
Cautery[edit | edit source]
Cautery is a medical practice that involves the use of heat or chemicals to destroy tissue, stop bleeding, or remove unwanted growths. It is a technique that has been used for centuries in various forms and continues to be an important tool in modern medicine.
History[edit | edit source]
The use of cautery dates back to ancient times. The Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used heated metal instruments to cauterize wounds and stop bleeding. The practice was further developed in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, with the introduction of chemical cauterization using substances like silver nitrate.
Types of Cautery[edit | edit source]
There are several types of cautery, each with specific applications:
- Thermal Cautery: This involves the use of heat to destroy tissue. It can be achieved using heated metal instruments or electric current, known as electrocautery.
- Chemical Cautery: This method uses caustic chemicals to burn and destroy tissue. Common agents include silver nitrate and trichloroacetic acid.
- Cryocautery: Although not a form of cautery in the traditional sense, cryocautery uses extreme cold to achieve similar effects, often using liquid nitrogen.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Cautery is used in various medical fields, including:
- Surgery: To cut tissue and control bleeding during operations.
- Dermatology: For the removal of warts, skin tags, and other skin lesions.
- Otolaryngology: To treat nosebleeds and remove nasal polyps.
- Gynecology: For procedures such as cervical dysplasia treatment.
Advantages and Disadvantages[edit | edit source]
Advantages:
- Effective in controlling bleeding and sealing blood vessels.
- Can be used to remove unwanted tissue with precision.
Disadvantages:
- Can cause damage to surrounding healthy tissue if not used carefully.
- May result in scarring or changes in skin pigmentation.
Safety and Precautions[edit | edit source]
When performing cautery, it is essential to take precautions to avoid complications. Proper training and understanding of the technique are crucial. Protective equipment should be used to prevent burns or chemical exposure.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
