Electrocautery is a procedure that destroys tissue by burning with an electric spark. It is commonly used in surgical procedures to stop bleeding, remove unwanted tissue, or coagulate tissue to prevent further bleeding. In electrocautery, a high-frequency electric current passes through a metal wire or electrode to generate heat, which is used to burn or cut tissue. The heat produced by electrocautery can be very precise, allowing surgeons to target specific tissues without damaging surrounding areas.