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Updated: Oct 11, 2026

Assessment of Plasma Coagulation on Liver Tissue in a Large Animal Model In Vivo
Published on: August 4, 2018
New haemostatic techniques: argon plasma coagulation
1Department of Surgical Endoscopy, University Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany.
Bleeding is one of the main challenges for endoscopists. Despite a large number of methods for haemostasis, several types of haemorrhage lack an adequate therapeutic remedy. Argon plasma-coagulation (APC), a new method for the non-contact application of high-frequency current, promises to solve many of these problems. Among 1164 patients treated in 2349 sessions using APC, the indication was bleeding (due to tumour, intervention, angiodysplasia or coagulation disorders) in 305 patients (26%). The primary success rate was over 99%, the rebleeding rate 1.6% and the complication rate less than 1%, with zero mortality. Physical principles, indications, application parameters and results are discussed, especially in comparison with the Nd:YAG laser. APC is a new, efficacious, safe and easy-to-use method for the devitalization of tissue and haemostasis, especially in problematic cases.
Bleeding is one of the main challenges for endoscopists. Despite a large number of methods for haemostasis, several types of haemorrhage lack an adequate therapeutic remedy. Argon plasma-coagulation (APC), a new method for the non-contact application of high-frequency current, promises to solve many of these problems. Among 1164 patients treated in 2349 sessions using APC, the indication was bleeding (due to tumour, intervention, angiodysplasia or coagulation disorders) in 305 patients (26%). The primary success rate was over 99%, the rebleeding rate 1.6% and the complication rate less than 1%, with zero mortality. Physical principles, indications, application parameters and results are discussed, especially in comparison with the Nd:YAG laser. APC is a new, efficacious, safe and easy-to-use method for the devitalization of tissue and haemostasis, especially in problematic cases.
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