Electrocauterization, Chemical, and Laser Cauterization - Research Paper Example

? of Lecturer] Cauterization Introduction Cauterization refers to a medical procedure that involves creating burns on body tissues in an attempt to stop bleeding, close wounds or close amputations (Narayan, Hayward, Soballe, Nimbkar, Nielsen, & Drucker 263). The process destroys some tissue in an attempt to reduce damage or remove unwanted growth and subdue other harmful possibilities like infections when antibiotics are not available. The practice can be traced to centuries ago when doctors applied a piece of hot metal immediately after an amputation. Cauterization is effective in stopping bleeding because the heat makes the blood clot thus closing the wound. Cauterization should not be confused with cautery which involves mere branding, a process of creating a mark on a human being as punishment, identification, or decoration (Narayan et al 264). Medical history documents show that cauterization was applied range of medical procedures such as in destruction of tumors, elimination of irritations, and stopping of blood loss. This was long before the development of cauters, which made the process a little bit more efficient. This medical procedure dates as early as the 10th century. One of the earliest physicians recognized to have used this method to stop bleeding is Abu al-Qasim, an Andalusian physician. He developed cauters, special tools used to stop bleeding of arteries. The term cautery refers to a metal device that is heated to a pale red glow and then applied to a wound to produce blisters or stop bleeding of a blood vessel. The practice of cauterization is widespread in treatment of wounds and was exceptionally helpful before the advent of antibiotics (Narayan et al 263). Historically, cauterization was believed to prevent infections but modern research has shown that it actually increases the risk of infection by causing more tissue damage and providing a more conducive environment for the growth of bacteria. Cauterization is frequently used in modern medical practice although the methods have changed. Modern-world cauterization may take one of the following three forms; electrocauterization, chemical cauterization, and use of lasers to cauterize tissues (Narayan et al 263). The next subsection will try to explain these different approaches to cauterization. Electrocauterization, Chemical, and Laser Cauterization In this case, the heat used to burn the tissue is obtained through electrical means. This process is mostly used to destroy tissues and prevent excessive bleeding from small arteries and softer tissues (Narayan et al 263). It is widely employed in surgical procedures like mastectomy. Another area of application for electrocauterization is cardiac ablation to remove damaged tissue from the heart to restore regular heartbeat. Electrocauterization is more efficient than chemical cauterization since in the latter case chemicals can spread into and affect adjacent tissues (Narayan et al 264). However, smoke produced during this procedure may contain toxic substances that may harm tissues of a patient and operating staff. Chemical Cauterization achieves burning of tissues by chemical means. It involves the application of freezing chemicals, acids, and other substances that produce a frost or chemical burn. It is not as clean a process as the usage of electric pulses since there are concerns that the skin absorbs some of the chemicals. Examples of chemicals commonly used in this process include; silver nitrate, trichloroacetic acid, and cantharidin. Chemical cauterization is used to burn off small growths like moles and warts. A weakness of this process is that chemicals may spread into and affect adjacent tissues. On the other hand, laser cauterization is quickly gaining popularity in removal of tissues. It involves the removal of unwanted tissues using laser beams. Some medical practitioners prefer this method to electrocauterization and chemical cauterization for the reason that it enables exceptionally precise and restricted surgery (Narayan et al 265). It is important to note that advance in laser technology have ensured that all methods for tissue removal and sealing are rather safe and effective. Application of Cauterization The first use of cauterization is sealing amputations. Amputation refers to a partial or complete removal of a limb such as arms or legs. Before modern surgery, especially in battlefields, amputations were carried out by tying a strap above the cut line to prevent bleeding (Narayan et al 265). The tissue was then cut through the bone and then sewn back. Casualties bled a lot during this procedure and were at a risk of infection with some dying in the process. To prevent this excessive blood loss the physician applied cautery to seal the end of the amputation. This was also done to seal the wound from exposure to bacteria. The second use of cauterization is the removal of growth and unwanted tissues. Chemical cauterization is often employed in burning off small growths like moles and warts. The chemical cantharidin is commonly used in this process. Laser cauterization has also gained popularity in precision surgery that involves removal of small growths without worrying too much about interfering with adjacent organs (Narayan et al 265). The third use is in severing tissues. In this regard, electrocauterization is used in cutting or separating tissues. An example is in female sterilization procedure when cutting the fallopian tube in to prevent eggs from reaching the uterus. The others uses are stopping of nose bleeding and infant circumcision. Frequent nosebleeds are caused by exposed blood vessels in the nose. The raptured veins can be cauterized to prevent future incidences. The affected area can be burned using laser, hot metal, or chemically using an acid. Silver nitrate is often used for nasal cauterization in combination with a local anesthetic to make the procedure painless. Though a highly discouraged procedure, cauterization has been used to circumcise infants especially in the US and Canada with detrimental results. Modern surgical cauterization is used to seal single persistent blood vessels, to destroy cancerous cells and other malignant growths, moles, lacerations caused by viruses and separation of tissues with marginal blood loss (Narayan et al 265). The main advantage of cauterization in modern surgery is that it allows doctors to stop tissue bleeding without actually covering the wound. Care after Cauterization Taking care of a cauterized wound normally involves keeping it clean and covered. The wound is normally cleaned with boiled water and then bandaged. Other measures that enhance quick healing of a wound include avoiding use of the cauterized part especially for the limbs and other movable parts of the body. Patient should also try and avoid picking at or touching the wound despite the constant urge to do so and constantly look out for signs of infection such as bad smell, redness around the wound, pus, and the peeling off of the blackened. These signs should be reported to a physician immediately (Narayan et al 265). Merits of Cauterization One of the merits of cauterization, whether it is by electrical, chemical or laser means is that it actually stops bleeding. It has been also used to successfully seal of amputations. Electrocauterization has made medical procedures such as cardiac ablation possible, in the process saving lives that were previously impossible to save. It has also made female sterilization, curing of nosebleeds, removal of cancerous growths, and elimination of small growths such as moles and warts possible (Narayan et al 263). Demerits of Cauterization The main disadvantage of cauterization is that contrary to popular belief, it puts wounds at a higher risk of infection (Narayan et al 266). It also damages tissues. Burning the skin creates a surface that is rich in bacteria food, warm, and moist. These are conditions that are suitable for bacterial growth. Researches show that washed and bandaged wounds actually heal faster than cauterized wounds (Narayan et al., 266). Another demerit of cauterization is that it as a painful procedure if performed in the absence of an anesthetic since it involves actual burning of live tissue. Lastly, if not keenly performed, cauterization could lead to infection of adjacent tissues. Conclusion Cauterization is a procedure that has been performed for centuries to help patients of various diseases across the globe. Like all medical procedures, cauterization has its pros and cons. However, it is clear from the studies and the discussion above that cauterization challenges are quite manageable. First, risks of bacterial infection can be eliminated if the procedure is performed in a sterilized environment using germ-free equipment. Second, the associated pain can be relieved with the use of anesthesia. With the current and future advancements in laser technology, the procedure is likely to get safer and more precise, implying adjacent tissues will become less likely to be affected. Lastly, research should be encouraged in this field to make it better since it is a medical procedure that has helped humanity for long and should not be abandoned but improved upon. Work Cited Narayan V., Hayward, Isaac., Soballe, Peter W., Nimbkar, Nielsen, Thor B., and Drucker, William R. "Electric Cautery Lowers the Contamination Threshold for Infection of Laparotomies". The American Journal of Surgery, 1998, 175 (4): 263–6. Read More