Electrosurgery and electrocautery (also called thermal cautery) are not synonymous. In electrosurgery, electrical energy, also called current, may be converted to heat energy. The heat produced this way is used in medical procedure to cut coagulate, desiccate or remove unusual grouts. Electrocautery is a technique using high frequency to remove unwanted tissues, make incisions or coagulate. This procedure was invented by Dr. Bovie.