[Endoscopic argon gas coagulation--initial clinical experiences].

Argon-gas-coagulation represents a new method of contact free electrocoagulation, where RF-energy is applied to the tissue by means of ionized argon-gas. In the operative field argon-gas-coagulation has been used with success for hemostasis in several parenchymatous organs and for devitalization of various tissues. Experimental studies have shown the superiority of argon-gas-coagulation over standard electrocoagulation and surgical techniques due to its high efficiency and limited tissue traumatization. Having developed and designed special endoscopic probes and after in-vitro-studies we could utilize the method in flexible endoscopy as well. From June 1991 to September 1992, 102 patients were treated in 189 sessions with argon-gas-coagulation in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract as well as respiratory system. The indications were: malignant and benign tumors, diffuse hemorrhages of various origins and of various sites, tissue overgrowth after stent-implantation, remaining tissue after endoscopic adenomectomy and conditioning of fistulas prior to fibrin sealing. In all cases argon-gas-coagulation in flexible endoscopy has been shown to be a very effective and easy to perform technique with advantages in comparison to standard electrocoagulation. Problems and complications have not been observed. The limited depth of tissue penetration (2-3 mm) coincident with efficient tissue coagulation allows the application even in critical areas such as the duodenum or colon. In many indications argon-gas-coagulation has replaced the former widely used Nd-YAG-laser in our unit. Except vaporisation of extended tumors, the argon-gas-coagulator shows remarkable advantages for nearly all applications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)