title: Safety and efficacy of a new high power argon plasma coagulation system (hp-APC) in lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to analyze safety and efficacy of a new high power argon plasma coagulation system in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 215 patients treated with a high power argon plasma coagulation system in the upper gastrointestinal tract 04/2003-01/2004, using a VIO APC device (VIO 300 D with APC 2; Erbe Elektromedizin, Tübingen, Germany; pulsed argon plasma coagulation, 20-120 W), were reviewed and analyzed. Indications were as follows: additive ablation therapy in curative treatment of early Barrett's cancer (122 patients); palliative treatment of oesophageal cancer (n=27); gastric adenoma/carcinoma (n=19); Zenker's diverticulum (n=8); and other. In 190/215 patients (149 males; mean age 67 years), the data were completely analyzable. Minor and major complications were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minor complications (odynophagia, pain, fever) occurred in 24/277 sessions (8.7%); major complications (stenosis) in 3/277 sessions (1.1%) using at least 50 W. No perforation or bleeding occurred. The mean number of treatment sessions required was 1.46 (1-7); in the palliative treatment of oesophageal cancer, it was 2.5 (1-5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high power argon plasma coagulation system was effective and safe in various gastrointestinal conditions. Due to it's high effectiveness and a low number of sessions required in tumour debulking, this high power argon plasma coagulation system might be used as an alternative to Nd:YAG laser.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, HSK Wiesbaden, Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 100, 65199 Wiesbaden, Germany. HSManner@gmx.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Manner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faerber
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rabenstein
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001128:Argon; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D041742:Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001128:Argon