Veterinary Electrosurgery vs. Cautery: Key Features and Benefits

Over the years, as surgical procedures have evolved, so have the tools, instruments and devices used to deliver patient care. Veterinary surgical practices include a number of modalities that utilize energy based devices as the fundamental tools. Veterinarians can now harness various principles regarding electrons, photons and sound waves or radio frequency to transfer energy to the tissue of patients.

With the controlled application of energy through procedures, such as electrosurgery and cautery, veterinarians can use  the latest techniques to coagulate blood vessels, weld tissues, desiccate skin lesions and promote healing.

Over 88 years ago, William T. Bovie, PhD introduced the first electrosurgery unit (ESU) to his colleague, Harvey W. Cushing, MD. Dr. Cushing had been unsuccessful in removing a tumor from a patient’s head due to excessive hemorrhaging.  Facilitated by Bovie’s ESU, Dr. Cushing subsequently carried out the operation successfully.

Today, ESUs have become standard tools in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and veterinary operating rooms. They are often confused with, and used in conjunction with another device called a cautery, to provide a comprehensive range of  surgical capabilities.

Electrosurgery for Veterinarians

The original electrosurgery generators have evolved from bulky units to compact, sophisticated computer control devices. The technology uses electrical energy in the radio frequency ranges to create an alternating current that produces the desired effect. Based on the procedure being performed, the veterinarian may adjust two settings--the type of energy waveform and the amount of the energy flow.

The electrical energy flows through a handpiece to electrodes of various sizes and shapes as required to perform the desired incisions, and/or coagulation. The electrical energy causes heat generating vibrations at the tissue level without causing the electrode itself to become heated.

Veterinarians appreciate the capability to perform a variety of procedures that traditionally require incision.  

De-claw

Ear crop

Treating dermal lesions

Biopsy

Bleeding control

Electrosurgery units generally operate in the frequency range of 500 kHz to deliver the best results.

Cautery for Veterinarian Practices

Cautery is often confused with electrosurgery. Cautery describes a procedure that requires a high degree of heat at the electrode tip itself. Using a small handheld device, a heated wire tip is applied to the targeted tissues. A cautery tool cannot make incisions or capture samples. The real  value lies in its ability to reach into small target areas to stop bleeding.

Cautery units consist of hand-held, battery-powered pencil-type devices that are available in high and low temperature models.  Bovie’s high -temperature cauteries operate in the range of 2200 degrees Fahrenheit while the low-temperature cauteries operate in the 700-1300 degree Fahrenheit range.

Cautery devices can be used to treat a number of conditions, including:

Wart removal

Treatment of skin lesions

Treat surface tumors

Dock ears

Declaw

Cautery has become an invaluable tool for veterinary surgery procedures. Cautery seals blood vessels quickly and allows the four-footed patient to start the recovery process from the moment it leaves the veterinarian’s office.

With a variety of Bovie Aaron cautery devices, the procedure has begun to make similar inroads into animal hospitals and operating rooms. Along with electrosurgery, cautery has become a popular method of treatment for veterinarians.