Endoscopic treatment with argon plasma coagulation in postradiation proctopathy.
BACKGROUND
Postradiation proctopathy (PP) is a major complication in patients who receive radiotherapy for cancer. Medical treatments of this entity are unsatisfactory. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) had been shown to be successful with low complications. The aim was to describe our experience with APC in the management of PP.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of electronic- and paper-based records of patients with PP managed with APC.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients with PP were included, nine were women. Median age was 64 years, and follow-up was 29 months. The most frequent cause of radiotherapy for cancer was cervicouterine and prostate ENDOSCOPIC FINDINGS: Moderate disease was observed in nine patients; mild and severe diseases were observed in five patients each. At endoscopy, telangiectasias were present in 15, ulcers in five, and active bleeding in two patients. Median of APC sessions was two (one to seven). Mean dose of APC was 30 W (30-40 W) and 1.7 l (1.5-2.0 l). Median time for relief of symptoms was 3 months. All patients were asymptomatic at the end of treatment, and bleeding was controlled at the end of treatment in all patients. Recurrence of bleeding presented in one patient at 4 months. No complications were related to the APC treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
According to our data, APC is successful in treatment of PP, with few sessions and low morbidity and null mortality.
López-Arce
Gustavo
G
Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga, Mexico City, Mexico, glopezarce@gmail.com
Téllez-Avila
Felix I
FI
García-Osogobio
Sandra
S
Chavez-Tapia
Norberto C
NC
Barahona-Garrido
Josué
J
Barreto-Zúñiga
Rafael
R
Valdovinos-Andraca
Francisco
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001128:Argon / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*
D001128:Argon
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