[Electro-hydro-thermo probe in the therapy of gastrointestinal hemorrhage]

By developing the electro-hydro-thermo probe the known disadvantages of dry electrocoagulation were eliminated. Instillation of water prior or simultaneously during the coagulation allows to rinse and to localize exactly the bleeding site; adhering and contaminating of the tip of the probe is avoided. This is a report on the application of the electro-hydro-thermo probe in 51 patients of which 37 had an active bleeding, eight a recent haemorrhage according to Forrest II and III, and six had mostly multiple telangiectasias, angiomas or angiomatoses. The efficacy of the probe to stop bleeding is good. Only in two patients with penetrating gastric ulcer the coagulation had to be stopped prematurely because of the risks of primary perforation. In four patients with recurrent bleeding emergency surgery was necessary. There were no complications following coagulation with the electro-hydro-thermo probe. Emergency surgery is indicated in patients with active haemorrhage which cannot be endoscopically localized or successfully coagulated. In active bleeding coagulation using the electro-hydro-thermo probe is only a measure to improve the initial condition of the patient prior to surgery.