Thermal application for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Advances in therapeutic endoscopy have brought to the gastroenterologist a host of new devices capable of controlling hemorrhage. Variations of cautery including monopolar and bipolar units and the heater probe, provide a choice in current therapy. Use of the laser in gastrointestinal hemorrhage may be eclipsed by these small, portable, reasonably priced instruments. Microwave tissue coagulation represents an application to clinical medicine of an energy source found in many kitchens. I review the current status of these devices to help practitioners to determine which to purchase and choose for the treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage.