ARGON-LASER THERAPY FOR HEMORRHAGIC RADIATION PROCTITIS - LONG-TERM RESULTS

In chronic radiation proctitis bleeding occurs from mucosal friability and neovascular telangiectasias. Fourteen patients with bleeding from chronic radiation proctitis underwent endoscopic argon laser therapy at 4 to 8 W. The goal of treatment was obliteration of all telangiecta sias. The average follow-up was 35 months. Of the 51 procedures, 48 (9 4%) were performed on outpatients with enema preparation and little or no sedation. A median of three procedures was performed per patient, with two sessions required for initial control of bleeding. Ten patien ts (71%) required maintenance therapy for recurrent bleeding from tela ngiectasias that developed after initial therapy. The mean interval be tween maintenance sessions was 7 months. No immediate or late complica tions occurred.