Duodenal Perforation following Argon Plasma Coagulation for Angiodysplasia: A Case Report

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a widely used technique for hemostasis and ablation in gastrointestinal tract lesions due to its ease of use and safety. However, gastrointestinal tract muscle injury can occur with high-power settings and prolonged application.

We present a case of an elderly female with angiodysplasia bleeding in the second portion of the duodenum treated with APC, resulting in a complication of bowel wall perforation and peritonitis.

Acute perforation has been rarely reported with APC, either due to direct wall injury or explosion from overinflation. To avoid perforation, careful control of ablation power and duration, especially in regions with a thin gastrointestinal wall such as the gastric fundus and ascending colon, should be maintained.