What should you know about a surgical diathermy unit?

The device sends energy through a handpiece to a selected area. Depending on the setting and the attachment, the clinician may make a precise cut, heat tissue, or cauterise a small bleeding vessel. In dermatology, this can support procedures such as removing a superficial lesion or treating tissue after curettage. The clinician chooses the energy mode, contact method, and treatment area for the specific procedure.

Diathermy is equipment, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan by itself. It may be used as part of electrosurgery or curettage and cautery. Tell the clinician about a pacemaker, implanted electronic device, pregnancy, metal in the treatment area, or medicines that affect bleeding before the procedure.

Before treatment, follow instructions about cleansing the skin and medicines. Arrive with the treatment area free of creams or makeup unless your clinic advises otherwise. Afterward, keep the site clean and follow the dressing instructions. A treated area can feel tender, look red, or develop a small crust while it heals. Do not pick the crust, apply unapproved products, or expose healing skin to strong sunlight. Use the recommended wound care and attend any planned review.

Contact the clinic promptly if pain or swelling is worsening rather than settling, redness is spreading, the wound becomes increasingly warm, drainage develops, or you develop a fever. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure, trouble breathing, or a rapidly expanding swelling. A change in the treated area that persists after healing also deserves review.

Ask which procedure the unit supports, what the treated area may look like during healing, how to protect the wound, whether an implanted device changes the plan, and when pathology results or a follow-up examination will be available.