Cauterization

Cauterize redirects here. For the band, see Cauterize (band)

The medical practice or technique of cauterization (or cauterisation, or cautery) is the burning of part of a body to remove or close off a part of it, which destroys some tissue in an attempt to mitigate bleeding and damage, remove an undesired growth, or minimize other potential medical harm, such as infections when antibiotics are unavailable. The practice was once widespread for treatment of wounds. Its utility before the advent of antibiotics was said to be effective at more than one level: