Background/aims: Argon plasma coagulation is an innovative non-touch electrocoagulation technique. A broad spectrum of indications has been proposed for argon plasma coagulation since its introduction into endoscopy in 1991. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of utilizing argon plasma coagulation in the endoscopic hemostasis of non-ulcer, non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding in Taiwan.
Methodology: A total of 26 consecutive patients (15 men, 11 women; mean age: 67.6 years) underwent argon plasma coagulation treatment between May 1999 and August 2000. Causes of bleeding included angiodysplasia in 3, tumor bleeding in 8, radiation colitis in 11, watermelon stomach in 1, Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome in 1, and post-intervention in 2. Argon plasma coagulation was performed in 2 patients with bleeders in the esophagus, 10 in the stomach, 1 in the stomach and duodenum, and 13 in the colon.
Results: A total of 38 sessions of application in 26 patients were performed. Successful endoscopic argon plasma coagulation treatment was achieved in 21 (80.8%) patients. Neither complication nor mortality related to argon plasma coagulation was observed in these 26 patients.
Conclusions: Argon plasma coagulation is a safe, efficacious, and low-cost hemostatic modality for non-ulcer, non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding. It is mandatory to establish a comparative trial with other treatment modalities with a longer follow-up in the future.