Colonic Perforations after Gas Explosion Induced by Argon Plasma Coagulation

Gas explosion caused by argon plasma coagulation of colonic angiodysplasias.

established tool to treat lesions of the gastrointestinal mucosa, such as angio− dysplasias [1]. Cases of colon perforation after gas explo− sion caused by APC have been recorded since 1976 [2], especially after prepara− tion with mannitol [3], which seemed to increase hydrogen gas production. Newer data suggest that stools remaining in an incompletely cleaned bowel may be the main cause for ex...

Colonic explosion with use of argon plasma coagulation for radiation proctitis.

Gastric pneumatosis after endoscopic argon plasma coagulation.

INTRODUCTION Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) is gaining widespread usage but its risk is underreported. CLINICAL PICTURE A 74-year-old man who received radical radiotherapy for gastric carcinoma 6 months ago was admitted for anaemia and maelena. Gastroscopy revealed haemorrhagic radiation gastritis. Endoscopic APC was performed but terminated when he complained of severe epigastric ...

Argon plasma coagulation

Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) is an application of gas discharges in argon in electrosurgery, which is increasingly used especially in endoscopy. The major application fields are haemostasis, tissue devitalization and tissue reduction.This review describes the physics and technology of electrosurgery and APC. Some characteristics of the argon discharge are shown and discussed, and thermal effe...

Minute perforation after argon plasma coagulation for management of small colonic polyps.

month history of chronic constipation and abdominal bloating. Because of concern about a colorectal lesion, colonoscopy was done and hundreds of small polyps were found throughout the colon, most being less than 4mm in diameter. Some of the bigger polyps were removed by polypectomy andwere found at pathologic examination to be tubular adenoma. As the patient was unwilling to undergo a rectum-pr...