Treatment of Barrett's esophagus with argon plasma coagulation and acid suppression - A prospective study

26 patients with a Barrett's esophagus of at least 2 cm length (medium 4,9 cm) were treated with a combination of repeated argon-plasma-coagulation (A PC) and a long-tt rm acid suppression using proton pump inhibitors controll ed by a 2 h pH monitoring. Eleven out of 26 patients (42%) showed endoscopically and histologically a complete eradication of the metaplastic cylindric epithelium (intention-to treat analysis). Nine patients (35%) had an endoscopic compelte remission b ut remnants of the cylindric ep ithelium were found at the histologic exami nation. On an average one APC-session tvas necessary for 1 cm of initial le ngth of the Barrett's esophagus. No serious complications were seen. It remains unclear if this therapy can reduce the long-term risks for adeno carcinoma of the esophagus in patients with Barrett's esophagus.