Clinical outcomes of ablation of gastric dysplasia with argon plasma coagulation.

BACKGROUND: Although several small cohort studies have shown the utility of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in the treatment of gastric dysplasia, its clinical significance has not been established. This study aims to assess the efficacy of APC as a first line treatment for gastric dysplasia, and identify risk factors for residual dysplasia. METHODS: A total of 179 cases of gastric dysplasia were treated with APC and have been followed-up with upper endoscopy within 1 year. The overall incidence and the characteristics of lesions with residual dysplasia in follow-up endoscopy were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 179 lesions treated with APC, 171 (95.5%) lesions have achieved complete ablation in the follow-up endoscopy. Additional APC was applied for residual dysplasia, achieving complete ablation in 97.77% (175/179). The upper third location of the gastric dysplasia was significantly associated with residual dysplasia, while tumor size, horizontal location, macroscopic morphology and grade of dysplasia showed no significant associations with residual dysplasia following the initial APC. CONCLUSIONS: APC with meticulous follow-up can be recommended as a first line treatment in patients with gastric dysplasia.

Smoking-Associated Endotracheal Hair Growth: A Case Report on Tracheal Complications.

BACKGROUND A 52-year-old male patient presented with symptoms of chronic cough and persistent tracheal irritation 26 years after surgical closure of a tracheostoma, supported by an autologous auricular cartilage graft and cutaneous transplant. At the initial clinical presentation, the patient was an active smoker, with a cumulative dose of 31 pack years. CASE REPORT Bronchoscopy revealed endotracheal hair growth and local inflammation at the graft site. Initial anti-inflammatory, antimycotic, and antibacterial therapy was administered, followed by endoscopic structure remodeling. There were multiple recurrences with similar symptoms, showing isolated hair growth, without inflammation. Annual endoscopic restructuring sessions were indicated, and the patient experienced them as highly relieving. Recurrent hair growth was finally terminated by argon plasma laser-coagulation and after smoking cessation. We hypothesize that the onset of hair growth was triggered by the patient's cigarette smoking. CONCLUSIONS Endotracheal hair growth is a potential complication of autograft-supported tracheal restructuring. The initial administration of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medication, combined with endoscopic restructuring, could have contained the active inflammation; the application of argon plasma laser-coagulation finally stopped the hair growth. Smoking is associated with the upregulation of molecular signaling pathways in the respiratory epithelium, which can stimulate hair follicles, such as sonic hedgehog protein, WNT-1/ß-catenin, and epidermal growth factor receptor.

Comparison of interventions for Barrett's esophagus: A network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a precancerous condition that has the potential to develop into esophageal cancer (EC). Currently, there is a wide range of management options available for individuals at different pathological stages in Barrett's esophagus (BE). However, there is currently a lack of knowledge regarding their comparative efficacy. To address this gap, we conducted a network meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials to examine the comparative effectiveness of all regimens. METHODS: Data extracted from eligible randomized controlled trials were utilized in a Bayesian network meta-analysis to examine the relative effectiveness of BE's treatment regimens and determine their ranking in terms of efficacy. The ranking probability for each regimen was assessed using the surfaces under cumulative ranking values. The outcomes under investigation were complete ablation of BE, neoplastic progression of BE, and complete eradication of dysplasia. RESULTS: We identified twenty-three RCT studies with a total of 1675 participants, and ten different interventions. Regarding complete ablation of non-dysplastic BE, the comparative effectiveness ranking indicated that argon plasma coagulation (APC) was the most effective regimen, with the highest SUCRA value, while surveillance and PPI/H2RA were found to be the least efficacious regimens. For complete ablation of BE with low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, or esophageal cancer, photodynamic therapy (PDT) had the highest SUCRA value of 94.1%, indicating it as the best regimen. Additionally, for complete eradication of dysplasia, SUCRA plots showed a trend in ranking PDT as the highest with a SUCRA value of 91.2%. Finally, for neoplastic progression, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgery were found to perform significantly better than surveillance. The risk of bias assessment revealed that 6 studies had an overall high risk of bias. However, meta-regression with risk of bias as a covariate did not indicate any influence on the model. In terms of the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis evaluation, a high level of confidence was found for all treatment comparisons. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic surveillance alone or PPI/H2RA alone may not be sufficient for managing BE, even in cases of non-dysplastic BE. However, APC has shown excellent efficacy in treating non-dysplastic BE. For cases of BE with low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, or esophageal cancer, PDT may be the optimal intervention as it can induce regression of BE metaplasia and prevent future progression of BE to dysplasia and EC.

Comparing the effects of argon plasma coagulation and interferon therapy in patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia: a single-center retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation (APC) therapy and interferon therapy in patients with grade I and II vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN). METHODS: A total of 112 patients with VaIN were diagnosed via colposcopy-induced biopsy and classified into the APC group (n = 77) and interferon group (n = 35). Clinical data including age, grade, symptoms, historical or concomitant neoplasia of the lower genital tract, indications for hysterectomy, pregnancy history, cytology, human papillomavirus (HPV) subtype, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes were analyzed, retrospectively. Complications and clinical outcomes were assessed at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the HPV clearance rate between the APC (53.42%) and interferon (33.33%) groups at 6 months after treatment. However, the 12-month follow-up of the APC group showed a significantly higher HPV clearance rate as compared to the interferon group (87.67% vs. 51.52%, P < 0.05). The APC group exhibited a significantly higher cure rate (79.22% vs. 40.0%) and lower persistence rate (12.99% vs. 37.14%) than the interferon group (P < 0.05). Adverse reaction analysis revealed that the primary reaction in the APC group was vaginal drainage, in contrast to the increased vaginal discharge in the interferon group; though the difference was significant (68.83% vs. 28.57%, P < 0.05), no serious complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with APC is a safe and more effective procedure against VaIN I and II, compared to interferon. APC may serve as a viable alternative to other physiotherapies.

Argon Plasma Coagulation as Treatment for Anal Condylomas: A Narrative Review.

OBJECTIVES: Anal condylomas are a manifestation of anal human papillomavirus infection and can be associated with precancerous lesions and squamous cell carcinomas. Several methods have been described for treatment, including argon plasma coagulation. A narrative review of the evidence published on this topic was conducted. METHODS: A search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. RESULTS: Five studies reported on anal/perianal condyloma treatment with argon plasma coagulation. In 3 of these studies, there was a comparison with other treatment methods (addition of imiquimod, electrofulguration, and electrocautery, respectively). Argon plasma coagulation settings varied between studies. This type of treatment was effective for ablation. Recurrence rates and follow-up times varied largely between studies. No major complications, such as pain, scarring, sexual dysfunction, or severe bleeding were described. CONCLUSION: Studies indicate that argon plasma coagulation is an effective and safe therapy for anal and perianal condylomas.

Argon plasma coagulation: an effective treatment for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a very rare benign defecation disorder characterized by distinct clinical features and histological findings. Conventional measures are often shown to be ineffective for the treatment of ulcers. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) has recently been shown to be an effective treatment method for SRUS that is refractory to conventional therapy. OBJECTIVES: Determine the efficacy of APC treatment for patients suffering from SRUS. DESIGN: Prospective, single center. SETTINGS: Gastroenterology department at a military hospital in Pakistan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included patients with symptoms of rectal bleeding diagnosed with SRUS. Patients were recruited on the basis of clinical, sigmoidoscopic, and histological findings from September 2022 to March 2023. All patients had received conventional treatment initially and were assessed for persistence of symptoms. APC was performed only for those patients who were refractory to standard treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effectiveness of APC for resistant SRUS. SAMPLE SIZE: 99 patients. RESULTS: The 99 patients diagnosed with SRUS had a median (minimum-maximum) age of patients was 20 (9-41) years. All the patients had undergone conventional treatment, which included the use of laxatives, drinking plenty of water and practicing biofeedback. After this standard treatment, 19 patients (19.19%) recovered fully. However, the remaining 80 patients did not show improvement and underwent APC sessions, out of which 61 patients (76.3%) achieved complete healing of ulcers, while the remaining 19 (23.8%) had no improvement at all. None of the patients reported post session complications. CONCLUSION: APC is an effective therapy with very promising results for rectal ulcer hemorrhage. It also helps with ulcer healing and alleviates clinical symptoms. However, further controlled investigations are required to consolidate the use of APC in SRUS patients. LIMITATIONS: Single centered.

Clinical outcomes of argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of gastric low-grade dysplasia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) could be considered a treatment modality for small gastric low-grade dysplasia (LGD) instead of endoscopic resection. Our study investigated the clinical outcomes of APC for treating gastric LGD and associated variables with local recurrence. METHODS: This study included 911 patients who underwent APC for gastric neoplasms at the tertiary hospital from July 2007 to March 2022 with a minimal follow-up of 12 months. Of these patients, 112 without any information about Helicobacter pylori infection status, 164 who underwent APC for salvage therapy, 5 with high-grade dysplasia, and 12 with cancer were excluded. Through a retrospective review of medical data, the clinical outcomes and variables associated with the local recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 618 patients with LGD (median age, 64 years) were followed up for a median of 30 months, and local recurrence has happened in 21 (3.4%) patients. Multivariate analysis showed that lesion size (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidential interval, 1.01-1.12) was associated with the local recurrence. Among 557 lesions smaller than 10 mm, local recurrence was found in 14 (2.6%) cases, and local recurrence was found in 7 (9.5%) cases of 109 tumors larger than 10 mm (P < .004). CONCLUSIONS: In gastric LGD smaller than 10 mm without scars, APC is a good treatment modality in place of endoscopic resection. However, when a lesion is larger, APC should be selected carefully with close monitoring.

Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm of the Bile Duct Treated with Argon Plasma Coagulation via Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Choledochoduodenostomy.

A 93-year-old man presented to our hospital with a fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Computed tomography revealed bilateral bile duct dilation, cystic lesions with bile duct communication, and intraluminal solid nodules arising from the bile duct wall. The patient was diagnosed with intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. Surgery was not performed, considering the patient's age. It was impossible to control cholangitis using conventional endoscopic therapy. We therefore created an access route to the bile duct using endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy and inserted a lumen-apposed metal stent. Thereafter, we performed argon plasma coagulation of the tumor in the bile duct, which successfully prevented cholangitis recurrence.

Snare Tip Soft Coagulation vs Argon Plasma Coagulation vs No Margin Treatment After Large Nonpedunculated Colorectal Polyp Resection: a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Thermal treatment of the defect margin after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of large nonpedunculated colorectal lesions reduces the recurrence rate. Both snare tip soft coagulation (STSC) and argon plasma coagulation (APC) have been used for thermal margin treatment, but there are few data directly comparing STSC with APC for this indication. METHODS: We performed a randomized 3-arm trial in 9 US centers comparing STSC with APC with no margin treatment (control) of defects after EMR of colorectal nonpedunculated lesions ≥15 mm. The primary end point was the presence of residual lesion at first follow-up. RESULTS: There were 384 patients and 414 lesions randomized, and 308 patients (80.2%) with 328 lesions completed ≥1 follow-up. The proportion of lesions with residual polyp at first follow-up was 4.6% with STSC, 9.3% with APC, and 21.4% with control subjects (no margin treatment). The odds of residual polyp at first follow-up were lower for STSC and APC when compared with control subjects (P = .001 and P = .01, respectively). The difference in odds was not significant between STSC and APC. STSC took less time to apply than APC (median, 3.35 vs 4.08 minutes; P = .019). Adverse event rates were low, with no difference between arms. CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized trial STSC and APC were each superior to no thermal margin treatment after EMR. STSC was faster to apply than APC. Because STSC also results in lower cost and plastic waste than APC (APC requires an additional device), our study supports STSC as the preferred thermal margin treatment after colorectal EMR. (Clinicaltrials.gov, Number NCT03654209.).

Place of plasma argon coagulation in the treatment of vascular abnormalities of the digestive tract in adults

The aim of our study is to evaluate the value of Argon Plasma Coagulation in the treatment of gastrointestinal vascular abnormalities. Patients and methods: This is a descriptive and analytical retrospective study, from January 2009 to September 2020. 198 patients who have benefited from treatment with Argon Plasma Coagulation for vascular anomalies of the digestive tract divided into 2 groups: -Group A: Patients with radial rectitis lesions (n = 107). -Group B: Patients with lesions of digestive angiodysplasia (n = 91). Results: The mean age of our patients was 64.95 ± 9.88 years [43 - 83] in group A, while in group B the mean age was 65.19 ± 14.29 years [40 - 91] with a clear male predominance in 72.5%. The majority of patients in group A were followed for prostate cancer in 33,8%, and 26.3% of patients in group B had chronic renal failure, followed by stomach cancer in 15.8%, and esophageal cancer in 10.5%. Clinical symptomatology was dominated by rectories in 40.2% in group A versus 46.8% in group B. Rectal involvement was dominated in group A in 98.1%, whereas in group B the lesions were mainly located in the stomach in 60.5%. The endoscopic evolution was favorable in all our patients with a clear improvement of rectal lesions and digestive angiodysplasia lesions. The total complication rate in our series was nil. Conclusion: Plasma Argon coagulation is a very effective method in the endoscopic treatment of digestive haemorrhages with good tolerability and a low complication rate. (AU)

Risk factors associated to argon plasma coagulation treatment failure in patients with chronic radiation proctopathy

Background: argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the current endoscopic treatment of choice for patients who develop chronic radiation proctopathy. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with treatment failure. Methods: one hundred and ninety-nine patients treated with argon plasma coagulation in a single center were retrospectively analyzed. Results: twenty-four (12.06 %) patients were classified as APC treatment failures. Requirement of red blood cells transfusion and/or hemoglobin < 7 g/dl (OR 12.19, 95 % CI: 2.78-53.45, p < 0.001) and severe bleeding frequency (OR 2.76, 95 % CI: 1.13-6.72, p = 0.03) at diagnosis and prior to endoscopic therapy were associated with argon plasma coagulation treatment failure. Nineteen patients of the successful therapy group developed bleeding recurrence; no risk factors were associated with a shorter recurrence-free time. More than four APC sessions were associated to a higher risk of surgical intervention for bleeding control (OR 87.00, 95 % CI: 10.23-740.18, p < 0.001). Conclusion: requirement of red blood cells transfusion and/or hemoglobin < 7 g/dl and a severe bleeding frequency (more than five days per week) were identified as the most important risk factors for treatment failure in patients with chronic radiation proctopathy. (AU)

Prospective Meta-analysis of Weight Loss Regained and Success Rate of Argon Plasma Coagulation to Suture and Surgery Procedures Post-bariatric Surgery: Status of the Art of Endoscopic Treatment.

BACKGROUND: This study performed a meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of argon plasma coagulation (APC) concerning suture (SUT) and surgery (SUR). METHODS: The One-Way tests were applied, with p <0.05 significant. The value of R2 was analyzed (heterogeneity), and the risk of bias of articles was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were found, eight about APC, twenty about SUT, and six about SUR. For the percentage of Weight Loss Regained (%WLR), the means for APC, SUT, and SUR were 19.39 ± 10.94, 26.06 ± 16.71, and 17.05 ± 9.85, and for success rate (%SR), the means were 89.75 ± 16.75, 86.80 ± 11.44, and 76.00 ± 21.57, respectively with p >0.05, with R2 ≥ 50%. CONCLUSION: The APC proved to be efficient and safe like the other techniques.

Radiofrequency ablation versus hybrid argon plasma coagulation in Barrett's esophagus: a prospective randomised trial.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hybrid argon plasma coagulation (H-APC) are established thermal ablation techniques for eradicating Barrett's esophagus after endoscopic resection. This study aimed to compare RFA with H-APC in relation to safety, effectiveness and eradication rates. METHODS: After endoscopic resection, patients were randomly assigned to H-APC or RFA. A simplified H-APC technique was applied at 60 W. RFA was used with a 90° focal catheter and a simplified protocol of 12 J/cm2 × 3 or with a Halo 360° balloon and 10 J/cm2/cleaning/10 J/cm2. Eradication rates and adverse events were recorded. Patients received follow-up examinations after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients were finally included in the study (RFA N = 47, H-APC N = 54). The median follow-up period for short-term was 6.0 (CI 5.4-6.9) months and for long term 21 (CI 19.2.5-22.7) months. In total 211 ablations were performed. The eradication rates after long-term follow-up were 74.2% in the RFA group and 82.9% in the H-APC group. Post-interventional pain was significantly greater in the RFA group, with a mean score of 4.56/10 and duration of 7.54 days, in comparison with a mean score of 2.07/10 over 3.59 days in the H-APC group. Stenoses requiring intervention were noted in 3.7% of patients in the H-APC arm and 14.9% of those in the RFA arm. CONCLUSIONS: Both ablation techniques have good results in relation to the eradication rate, with a slightly better outcome in the H-APC group. The severity and duration of pain were significantly greater in the RFA group.

Argon plasma coagulation therapy in hemorrhagic radiation proctitis following pelvic radiation in gynecological malignancies.

Introduction: Chronic radiation proctitis is a common chronic complication of malignant pelvic diseases after pelvic radiation therapy. Although, the incidence has decreased after advent of intensity-modulated radiotherapy due to better control of radiation dose to rectum. In the era of conventional two-field radiotherapy to pelvis, this was a common complication usually presenting after 1-2 years of treatment completion. Rectal bleeding caused by radiation proctitis is difficult to manage. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an electrocoagulation technique that appears to be an effective and low-cost alternative to the use of lasers in gastrointestinal endoscopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of APC, as well as patients' tolerance of the procedure, in the treatment of bleeding radiation-induced proctitis. Materials and Methods: Between January 2015 and August 2017, 29 patients of cancer cervix treated with definite radiotherapy both external and brachytherapy who suffered from rectal bleeding due to radiation proctitis were included for treatment with argon plasma laser (APC). Twenty-three patients suffered from anemia, 16 of whom required blood transfusion. APC was performed, applying the no-touch spotting technique at an electrical power of 40 Watt and an argon gas flow of 1.5-2.0 l/min. Pulse duration was <0.5 s. Treatment sessions were carried out at intervals of 3 weeks. Subjects received 2-4 treatment sessions. Results: Twenty-eight out of 29 patients were accessible for effects and results. APC led to persistent clinical and endoscopic remission of rectal bleeding after a median of three sessions. No adverse effects were encountered after initial treatment. All the patients were in complete remission. Conclusions: APC is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for rectal bleeding caused by chronic radiation proctitis. It should be considered as a first-line therapy for radiation proctitis.

Pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema following argon plasma coagulation treatment of colonic angioectasia.

INTRODUCTION: The paper presents unusual symptoms as a complication of therapeutic colonoscopy. CASE REPORT: A 70-year-old polymorbid female patient in chronic dialysis program underwent argon plasma coagulation treatment of leaking angioectasias in the cecum and ascending colon. Shortly after the procedure she presented with shortness of breath and subcutaneous emphysema of the neck which was initially misdiagnosed as swelling. Further tests revealed pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Considering the high risks for our patient (comorbidities, obesity), a laparoscopic approach was indicated. During laparoscopy neither peritonitis nor intestinal perforation were found. The patient recovered without complications after further complex treatment. CONCLUSION: Shortness of breath and subcutaneous emphysema are not typically among the first symptoms of colonoscopic perforation. Our case confirms that we should bear this complication in mind and when suspected, the diagnostic process should be started without delay.