Gastric Hemostasis by Laser Phototherapy in Man: A Preliminary Report

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