Safety and efficacy of a new high power argon plasma coagulation system (hp-APC) in lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
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.
Manner
H
H
Department of Internal Medicine II, HSK Wiesbaden, Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 100, 65199 Wiesbaden, Germany. HSManner@gmx.de
May
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A
Faerber
M
M
Rabenstein
T
T
Ell
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001128:Argon; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D041742:Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*
D001128:Argon