Electrocautery
Electrocautery is the use of heat to cut through and remove unwanted tissue. It is very useful for removing small benign skin masses or “skin tags” without the need for anesthesia or sedation.
Benefits
- Usually does not require sedation (a local anesthetic is used, as it is transiently painful)
- Can rapidly address multiple small lesions quickly
- Inexpensive
- Healing is relatively quick. The procedure typically creates a small wound that scabs over and heals in 1-2 weeks. There is minimal, if any, bleeding.
Drawbacks
- Is not appropriate for certain lesions, especially those very closely attached to the skin
- Is painful while heat is being applied (local anesthesia is needed)
- A wound is often created at the treatment site - antibiotic ointment may be needed for a few days.
- Benign lesions can grow back or new ones emerge (treatment may not be permanent)
- The lesion is not being submitted to a pathologist. If the lesion is concerning for cancer and/or if there is rapid regrowth after removal, then a biopsy should be considered.
