Electrocauterize is a medical procedure whereby tissue is burned for therapeutic purposes using an electrical current. Some synonyms for this word include electrocoagulate, electrofulgurate, and electrocautery. Electrocoagulate involves the use of an electric current to form a clot, while electrofulgurate uses an electric spark that vaporizes tissue. Electrocautery can be used to cauterize blood vessels or destroy abnormal tissue growths. Other similar terms include electroexcision, electrosurgery, and electrodesiccation. Each of these methods uses an electrical current to remove or modify tissue, but the specific technique used depends on the type of tissue being treated and the desired medical outcome.