Argon plasma coagulation treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctopathy: the optimal settings for application and long-term outcome.
BACKGROUND
No standard treatment exists for hemorrhagic radiation proctopathy (HRP). Recently it was reported that argon plasma coagulation (APC) is effective for HRP. However, previous studies documented complications such as ulcers, strictures, and perforations in as many as 20% of APC-treated patients.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the optimal parameters for APC by using swine rectum and to assess the safety and effectiveness of APC in HRP patients.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
Sixty-five patients with HRP were prospectively enrolled between 2000 and 2010.


METHODS
APC for HRP.


METHODS
Optimal APC parameters, number of treatments, success rate, complications, clinical remissions.


RESULTS
APC in swine rectal wall ex vivo was optimal with a 40-W current, 1.2-L/min gas flow rate, and 2-second application, which was sufficient to treat the submucosal telangiectasia but did not adversely affect the muscle layer. Sixty-five patients (46 men, 19 women; median age 72 years) with HRP occurring at a mean of 20 months after radiotherapy were studied. Proctopathy was classified as grade A (mild) in 7 patients (10.8%), grade B (moderate) in 41 (63.1%), and grade C (severe) in 17 (26.2%). The treatment success rate was 98.5% after a median of 2 (range 1-5) APC sessions. The median clinical score for rectal bleeding was significantly decreased after APC (P < .0001), and the hemoglobin level was significantly increased (P < .0001). APC was well tolerated, and no significant side effects or complications occurred. During a mean follow-up of 34.6 months (range 3.6 -121.1 months), 4 patients (6.3%) had minor recurrent rectal bleeding and 60 (93.8%) remained in remission.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonrandomized study.


CONCLUSIONS
HRP treatment with optimal APC settings yields a high success rate and long-lasting clinical remission with no significant complications.
Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, South 1 West 16, Chuo-ku, 060-8543 Sapporo, Japan.
Yasushi
Y
Sato
Tetsuji
T
Takayama
Tamotsu
T
Sagawa
Masahiro
M
Hirakawa
Hiroyuki
H
Ohnuma
Koji
K
Miyanishi
Tsutomu
T
Sato
Rishu
R
Takimoto
Masayoshi
M
Kobune
Koichi
K
Okamoto
Hisashi
H
Takeuchi
Junji
J
Kato
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D057908:Argon Plasma Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000601:surgery; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy