Usefulness of argon plasma coagulation using a double channel endoscope

Abstract

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is useful for endoscopic therapy against gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, GI malignant tumor and esophageal varices. An APC applicator spurts out argon gas, however the diameter of APC probe is so wide that the argon gas spurted out in the GI tract is not able to be absorbed while the applicator is inserted into a one channel endoscope. Therefore, patients often have fullnesss and vomit during APC. The aim of this study is to analyze usefulness of APC using a double channel endoscope against widespread gastric lesions. Subjectives were 14 sessions against 5 patients (radiation-induced gastropathy : 6 against 2 patients, diffuse antral vascular ectasia : 2 against a patient, gastric antral vascular ectasia : 1 against a patient, Oslar disease : 5 against a patient) . Argon gas spurted out in the stomach is absorbed more easily, while APC probe is inserted into a right channel in a double channel endoscope, therefore patients complained of neither fullness nor vomitting. Furthermore, it became easier to spew water and perform injection through a left channel. Operation time of APC using a double channel endoscope against widespread gastric lesions (11.7 minutes, 14 sessions) was significantly decreased compared with a one channel endoscope (21.0 minutes, 8 sessions) . Argon plasma coagulation using a double channel endoscope against widespread gastric lesions is thought to be easier and more useful, and less painful.