Procedures using an electrically heated wire or scalpel to treat hemorrhage (e.g., bleeding ulcers) and to ablate tumors, mucosal lesions, and refractory arrhythmias. It is different from ELECTROSURGERY which is used more for cutting tissue than destroying and in which the patient is part of the electric circuit.

Synonyms: Fulguration, Endocavitary, Electrocoagulation, Galvanocautery, Endocavitary Fulguration, Diathermy, Surgical, Surgical Diathermy, Electrocautery, Thermocoagulation