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Endoscopy 2002; 34(5): 407-410
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-25287
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Argon Plasma Coagulation for Treatment of Watermelon Stomach

I.  Yusoff1 , F.  Brennan1 , D.  Ormonde1 , B.  Laurence1
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia
Further Information

Publication History

9 May 2001

3 November 2001

Publication Date:
22 April 2002 (online)

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Background and Study Aims: Watermelon stomach or gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare but well-recognized cause of gastrointestinal blood loss, which typically affects elderly women. Historically patients were treated with antrectomy but this has been largely replaced by endoscopic therapy such as Nd:YAG laser. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new noncontact electocoagulation technique which has several theoretical advantages over laser. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of APC in treating GAVE.
Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the case-records of five patients (four women, one man) with iron deficiency anaemia or gastrointestinal blood loss due to GAVE who were treated with APC and for whom a follow-up of more than 12 months was available. Four patients were transfusion-dependent. Their mean age was 71 years (range 58 - 83). The mode of presentation, number of treatment sessions, response to therapy and recurrence (if any) were recorded.
Results: A mean of 2.6 treatment sessions per patient were required. All patients had an endoscopically observed response to therapy and all patients had a sustained rise in hemoglobin level after treatment. Transfusion dependence ceased in all patients. After a mean follow-up of 20 months GAVE recurred in two patients (40 %). Both patients responded to further APC treatment. No major complications were recorded.
Conclusion: APC is a safe and effective short-term treatment for GAVE. The natural history of the condition is uncertain, and at medium-term follow-up GAVE is found to recur in a substantial number of patients treated with APC. Re-treatment with APC is an option in these patients.

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Dr. Donald Ormonde

Department of Gastroenterology · Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital

Verdun St · Nedlands · Perth · Western Australia ·

Fax: + 61-8-9346-3207

Email: donormonde@iinet.net.au

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