H Manner1, A May, M Faerber, T Rabenstein, C Ell. 1. Department of Internal Medicine II, HSK Wiesbaden, Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 100, 65199 Wiesbaden, Germany. HSManner@gmx.de
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.
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: Willem A Dijckmeester; Bas P L Wijnhoven; David I Watson; Mary P Leong; Michael Z Michael; George C Mayne; Tim Bright; David Astill; Damian J Hussey Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2009-02-04 Impact factor: 3.452