Argon laser therapy for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis: long-term results.
In chronic radiation proctitis bleeding occurs from mucosal friability and neovascular telangiectasias. Fourteen patients with bleeding from chronic radiation proctitis underwent endoscopic argon laser therapy at 4 to 8 W. The goal of treatment was obliteration of all telangiectasias. The average follow-up was 35 months. Of the 51 procedures, 48 (94%) were performed on outpatients with enema preparation and little or no sedation. A median of three procedures was performed per patient, with two sessions required for initial control of bleeding. Ten patients (71%) required maintenance therapy for recurrent bleeding from telangiectasias that developed after initial therapy. The mean interval between maintenance sessions was 7 months. No immediate or late complications occurred.
Taylor
J G
JG
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.
DiSario
J A
JA
Buchi
K N
KN
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D011349:Proctitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors