A temperature monitoring electrosurgical system may include a first forceps arm, a second forceps arm, a temperature monitoring system, and a system control. The first forceps arm may include a first thermocouple electrically connected to a first temperature sense of the temperature monitoring system. The second forceps arm may include a second thermocouple electrically connected to a second temperature sense of the temperature monitoring system. The system control may be configured to compare a measured temperature of the first thermocouple and the second thermocouple to a user defined cauterization temperature setting. The system control may be configured to increase a bipolar output power if the measured temperature is less than the cauterization temperature setting. The system control may be configured to decrease the bipolar output power if the measured temperature is greater than the cauterization temperature setting.
