Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation for palliative treatment of malignant airway obstructions: early results in 47 cases

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new method of non-contact electrocoagul ation, using high frequency current by means of ionized argon gas (argon pl asma). Recently, this technique has become available for flexible endoscopi c delivery through special probes. Aim of this study is to evaluate the eff icacy, indications and the possible side effects of APC use in the palliati ve treatment of malignant airway obstructions and/or bleeding. Over a 24-mo nth period, 47 patients underwent APC treatment for malignant neoplasms of the tracheobronchial system causing obstruction and/or recurrent bleeding. Immediate airway patency and haemostasis were obtained in 91.5% of cases (4 3/47). No complications or side effects caused by the treatment were observ ed. In two patients, the treatment allowed a radical surgical approach afte r induction chemotherapy, In all cases, APC proved to be highly effective a nd easy to perform. In our experience, APC has proven to be easy to perform , rapidly effective, safe and well tolerated by the patient, even after rep eated application. This study highlights the value of endoscopic APC in the palliative management of tracheobronchial neoplasms. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.