[Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) or watermelon stomach syndrome: report of 3 cases and clinical and therapeutic indications].

OBJECTIVE

The authors report their experience in diagnosis, treatment and ambulatorial follow up of 3 cases of obscure upper gastrointestinal bleeding by gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Complete clinical report of 3 cases. Clinical and endoscopic indication, evaluation of effectiveness of endoscopic treatment with bipolar electrocoagulation and follow-up.

SETTING

Operative Unit of General and Thoracic Surgery. University "Paolo Giaccone" of Palermo.

INTERVENTION

Endoscopic treatment by multiple session with bipolar electrocoagulation. No complications were registered.

RESULTS

Complete recovery with "restitutio ad integrum". No relapse were recorded at follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

The objective of the treatment is to recognize the site of obscure bleeding and then stop it. The choice between pharmacological, endoscopic and surgical treatment is individual for each patient. According to us, the endoscopic treatment is the first step in a gradual clinical approach, to detect the site of the lesion, to treat with bipolar electrocoagulation or with Argon Plasma Coagulator (lower wall penetration and minimal risk of perforation).