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Endoscopic treatment with argon plasma coagulation in postradiation proctopathy

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Postradiation proctopathy (PP) is a major complication in patients who receive radiotherapy for cancer. Medical treatments of this entity are unsatisfactory. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) had been shown to be successful with low complications. The aim was to describe our experience with APC in the management of PP.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of electronic- and paper-based records of patients with PP managed with APC.

Results

Nineteen patients with PP were included, nine were women. Median age was 64 years, and follow-up was 29 months. The most frequent cause of radiotherapy for cancer was cervicouterine and prostate

Endoscopic findings

Moderate disease was observed in nine patients; mild and severe diseases were observed in five patients each. At endoscopy, telangiectasias were present in 15, ulcers in five, and active bleeding in two patients. Median of APC sessions was two (one to seven). Mean dose of APC was 30 W (30–40 W) and 1.7 l (1.5–2.0 l). Median time for relief of symptoms was 3 months. All patients were asymptomatic at the end of treatment, and bleeding was controlled at the end of treatment in all patients. Recurrence of bleeding presented in one patient at 4 months. No complications were related to the APC treatment.

Conclusions

According to our data, APC is successful in treatment of PP, with few sessions and low morbidity and null mortality.

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Acknowledgments

Elsa and Yareli are acknowledged for the preparation of the manuscript.

Conflicts of interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga #15. Col. Sección XVI. Del. Tlalpan, C.P. 14000, Mexico City, Mexico

    Gustavo López-Arce, Norberto C. Chavez-Tapia & Josué Barahona-Garrido

  2. Endoscopy Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Distrito Federal, Mexico

    Felix I. Téllez-Avila, Rafael Barreto-Zúñiga & Francisco Valdovinos-Andraca

  3. Colorectal Surgery Department, Médica Sur Clinic and Foundation, México, Distrito Federal, Mexico

    Sandra García-Osogobio

Authors
  1. Gustavo López-Arce
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  2. Felix I. Téllez-Avila
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  3. Sandra García-Osogobio
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  4. Norberto C. Chavez-Tapia
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  5. Josué Barahona-Garrido
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  6. Rafael Barreto-Zúñiga
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  7. Francisco Valdovinos-Andraca
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gustavo López-Arce.

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López-Arce, G., Téllez-Avila, F.I., García-Osogobio, S. et al. Endoscopic treatment with argon plasma coagulation in postradiation proctopathy. Int J Colorectal Dis 25, 895–898 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-010-0940-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-010-0940-7

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