Search

LASER energy has previously been shown to control bleeding from superficial gastric erosions in the dog. In the initial report by Goodale et al, 1 carbon dioxide laser energy was transmitted through a rigid, hollow endoscope. Subsequently, Nath et al 2 described a flexible fiberoptic delivery system through which argon laser energy could be transmitted. In 1975, Dwyer et al 3 reported the successful use of such a system to treat hemorrhage from superficial gastric erosions in dogs. This communication describes the use of argon ion laser phototherapy for the treatment of acute upper-gastrointestinal bleeding in man. Materials and Methods An argon ion retinal photocoagulator with a flexible fiberoptic delivery system was attached to the outside of an endoscope as previously reported. 3 The tip of the fiberoptic cable was covered by a protective cap, and the cap was equipped with two channels, one for water to wash the quartz

A flexible fiberoptic system has been used to deliver visible laser light into the upper gastrointestinal tract to arrest bleeding from various induced lesions. This procedure has achieved hemostasis at bleeding sites in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and suggests that bleeding lesions in the heman may be treated similarly without resort to surgical intervention or intensive medical management.