Efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation in the management of extensive chronic radiation proctitis after pelvic radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) usually develops 90 days or more after radiation. Currently, there is no standard available for the treatment of CRP. In argon plasma coagulation, monopolar diathermy is used to ionise the argon gas which coagulates the telengiectatic vessels in a noncontact fashion. However, there are very few studies which have reported its use in extensive CRP. We report the efficacy and safety of APC in seven patients with recurrent, extensive grade 3 radiation proctitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated with argon plasma coagulation in our institute from June 2013 to June 2016. After adequate bowel preparation, patients underwent APC at an average power of 50 W with flow rate of 5 L/min. All the visible telangiectasia was ablated which required many sittings.

RESULTS: The median RPSAS symptom score for frequency of bleeding at enrolment was 5 (range 3-5). After completion of APC, the median RPSAS symptom score for frequency of bleeding decreased to 1. The median RPSAS symptom score for severity of bleeding was 5 (range 3-5). After completion of APC, the mean RPSAS symptom score for severity of bleeding decreased to 1. Mean haemoglobin level before treatment was 5.43 g/dl (SD 2.37). Mean haemoglobin level after treatment was10.04 g/dl (SD 2.0). Compared with pre-treatment levels after APC, there was a mean increase in haemoglobin of 4.61 + 1.78 [95% CI 2.97-6.25, p = 0.00].

CONCLUSION: Argon plasma coagulation is a safe, well tolerated and effective treatment option in extensive chronic radiation proctitis which is refractory to medical management.