Argon plasma coagulation
5175674
160678271
2007-09-27T12:19:47Z
Countincr
3801074
clean up using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]]
[[Image:Argon plasma coagulation.jpg|right|thumb|'''Argon plasma coagulation''' administered via probe through the colonoscope at an angiodysplasia in the [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]]. The patient had [[Heyde syndrome|multiple colonic angiodysplasiae]] in the setting of [[aortic stenosis]].]]
'''Argon plasma coagulation''' or '''APC''' is a medical [[endoscopy|endoscopic]] procedure used primarily to control bleeding from certain lesions in the [[gastrointestinal tract]], and also sometimes to debulk tumours in the case of patients for whom surgery is not recommended. It is administered during [[esophagogastroduodenoscopy]] or [[colonoscopy]].
APC involves the use of a jet of [[ionized]] [[argon]] gas ([[plasma (physics)|plasma]]) that is 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 6[[kilovolt|kV]])[http://www.mibalongastrico.comwww.gastrointestinalatlas.com/English/Colon_and_Rectum/Radiation_Colitis/radiation_colitis.html]. High-frequency [[electrical current]] is then conducted through the jet of gas, resulting in coagulation of the bleeding lesion on the other end of the jet. As no physical contact is made with the lesion, the procedure is safe, and can be used to treat bleeding in parts of the gastrointestinal tract with thin walls, such as the [[cecum]]. The depth of coagulation is usually only a few millimetres.
APC is used to treat the following conditions:
*[[angiodysplasia]]e, anywhere in the GI tract
*[[gastric antral vascular ectasia]], or watermelon stomach
*[[polyp (medicine)|colonic polyps]], after polypectomy
*[[radiation proctitis]]
*[[esophageal cancer]]
==See also==
*[[electrocautery]]
[[Category:Endoscopy]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
{{med-stub}}