title: [Endoscopic argon gas coagulation--initial clinical experiences].
abstract: Argon-gas-coagulation represents a new method of contact free electrocoagulation, where RF-energy is applied to the tissue by means of ionized argon-gas. In the operative field argon-gas-coagulation has been used with success for hemostasis in several parenchymatous organs and for devitalization of various tissues. Experimental studies have shown the superiority of argon-gas-coagulation over standard electrocoagulation and surgical techniques due to its high efficiency and limited tissue traumatization. Having developed and designed special endoscopic probes and after in-vitro-studies we could utilize the method in flexible endoscopy as well. From June 1991 to September 1992, 102 patients were treated in 189 sessions with argon-gas-coagulation in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract as well as respiratory system. The indications were: malignant and benign tumors, diffuse hemorrhages of various origins and of various sites, tissue overgrowth after stent-implantation, remaining tissue after endoscopic adenomectomy and conditioning of fistulas prior to fibrin sealing. In all cases argon-gas-coagulation in flexible endoscopy has been shown to be a very effective and easy to perform technique with advantages in comparison to standard electrocoagulation. Problems and complications have not been observed. The limited depth of tissue penetration (2-3 mm) coincident with efficient tissue coagulation allows the application even in critical areas such as the duodenum or colon. In many indications argon-gas-coagulation has replaced the former widely used Nd-YAG-laser in our unit. Except vaporisation of extended tumors, the argon-gas-coagulator shows remarkable advantages for nearly all applications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Abt. für Allgemeinchirurgie, Chirurgische Universitätsklinik Tübingen.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Storek
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Grund
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gronbach
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Farin
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D013523:Surgical Equipment
vernacular_title: Endoskopische Argon-Gas-Koagulation--erste klinische Erfahrungen.