Gastric Hemostasis by Laser Phototherapy in Man

Abstract

LASER energy has previously been shown to control bleeding from superficial gastric erosions in the dog. In the initial report by Goodale et al,¹carbon dioxide laser energy was transmitted through a rigid, hollow endoscope. Subsequently, Nath et al²described a flexible fiberoptic delivery system through which argon laser energy could be transmitted. In 1975, Dwyer et al³reported 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.³The 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