Second-generation argon plasma coagulation: two-center experience with 600 patients.
OBJECTIVE
Second-generation argon plasma coagulation (APC; APC 2/VIO APC) with its modes 'forced', 'pulsed', and 'precise' is a further development of the ICC/APC 300 system (first-generation APC). Until now, only limited data has existed on the use of APC 2.


METHODS
Fundamental data on the characteristics of the various APC 2 modes and clinical data from more than 600 patients treated in two high-volume endoscopy centers were analyzed. On the basis of these data, recommendations for the use of APC in daily gastroenterological practice were made.


RESULTS
In comparison to the ICC system, second-generation APC offers a broadened bandwidth of settings including different APC modes and a range of power settings from 1 to 120 W. Using the various modes of APC 2 in a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, minor complications were observed in 9-21% of patients. Major complications occurred in 1-7% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In a two-center experience treating a large group of patients with a wide variety of gastrointestinal conditions, the different APC 2 modes appeared to be safe and effective. Certain preventive measures before and during clinical application are recommended in order to avoid complications.
Manner
Hendrik
H
Department of Internal Medicine II, HSK Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany. HSManner@gmx.de
Enderle
Markus D
MD
Pech
Oliver
O
May
Andrea
A
Plum
Nicola
N
Riemann
Jürgen F
JF
Ell
Christian
C
Eickhoff
Axel
A
D004867:Equipment Design; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome