What should you know about radiofrequency electrosurgery?

An electrosurgical unit sends high-frequency electrical energy through an electrode. Depending on the setting and technique, the clinician can cut, dry, coagulate, or remove a small area of tissue. This may be used for selected benign growths, bleeding control, or lesions such as some genital warts after diagnosis. The visible tissue may be trimmed, cauterised, or destroyed, but the procedure does not establish the cause of an undiagnosed lesion by itself.

Local anaesthetic is often used. Heat can cause brief discomfort, a smell from treated tissue, redness, swelling, a scab, or temporary colour change. Healing depends on the treatment site and depth.

Tell the clinician about pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices, pregnancy, bleeding problems, medicines, allergies, and previous difficulty healing. Do not shave, pick, or apply irritating products to the area unless instructed. Afterward, keep the site clean and follow dressing advice; avoid friction, soaking, and sexual contact when the treated location requires it. Do not use leftover antibiotics or wart products without guidance.

Call the treating service if bleeding does not stop with firm pressure, pain is escalating, redness spreads, pus develops, or the wound opens. Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, fever with worsening wound changes, fainting, or breathing difficulty. A lesion that returns, changes, or was never diagnosed should be reviewed rather than repeatedly treated at home.

Ask what diagnosis is being treated, whether tissue will be sent for examination, which electrode method is planned, and how the wound will heal. Clarify scar and pigment-change risks for your skin tone, activity restrictions, and what to do if a lesion recurs.