Argon plasma coagulation explained

Argon plasma coagulation
Synonym:	APC
Specialty:	Gastroenterology

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a medical endoscopic procedure used to control bleeding from certain lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. It is administered during esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy.

Medical use

APC involves the use of a jet of ionized argon gas (plasma) directed through a probe passed through the endoscope. The probe is placed at some distance from the bleeding lesion, and argon gas is emitted, then ionized by a high-voltage discharge (approx 6kV).^[1] High-frequency electric current is then conducted through the jet of gas, resulting in coagulation of the bleeding lesion. As no physical contact is made with the lesion, the procedure is safe if the bowel has been cleaned of colonic gases,^{[2] [3]} and can be used to treat bleeding in parts of the gastrointestinal tract with thin walls, such as the cecum.

See also

• Electrocautery

Further reading

• Peng Y, Wang H, Feng J, Fang S, Zhang M, Wang F, Chang Y, Shi X, Zhao Q, Liu J . Efficacy and Safety of Argon Plasma Coagulation for Hemorrhagic Chronic Radiation Proctopathy: A Systematic Review . Gastroenterology Research and Practice . 2018 . 3087603 . 2018 . 29681929 . 5845516 . 10.1155/2018/3087603 . free .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Post-Radiation Colitis . El Salvador Atlas of Gastrointestinal Video Endoscopy . https://web.archive.org/web/20140703074242/http://www.gastrointestinalatlas.com/English/Colon_and_Rectum/Radiation_Colitis/radiation_colitis.html . 3 July 2014.
2. Ladas SD, Karamanolis G, Ben-Soussan E . Colonic gas explosion during therapeutic colonoscopy with electrocautery . World Journal of Gastroenterology . 13 . 40 . 5295–8 . October 2007 . 17879396 . 4171316 . 10.3748/wjg.v13.i40.5295 . free .
3. Ben-Soussan E, Antonietti M, Savoye G, Herve S, Ducrotté P, Lerebours E . Argon plasma coagulation in the treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis is efficient but requires a perfect colonic cleansing to be safe . European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology . 16 . 12 . 1315–8 . November 2004 . 15618838 . 10.1097/00042737-200412000-00013 . 9655672 .