An electrocautery probe includes a distal loop electrode mounted between a pair of arms which are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead, and a mounting sleeve for slideably coupling the probe to the guide tube of a resectoscope. The arms are skewed from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode lead and are covered with an insulative material which extends to the distal end of the arms and terminates in a straight edge parallel to a plane substantially perpendicular to the arms. The loop electrode is angled approximately 25.degree.-35.degree. proximally relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the electrode lead. The loop electrode further defines sharp upper distal and proximal edges. A cross-section of the electrode further defines an upper surface, a leading distal surface, a lower distal surface, a lower proximal surface.