EP1077 Argon-assisted loop electrosurgical excision procedure, ‘Argon-Leep’: a feasible and cheap technique to reduce the smoke and thermal damage during cervical conization

Introduction/Background After evaluating the Argon insufflation (99, 9%) effectiveness on improving the method of cervical tissue excision by loop electrosurgery (leep) in bovine cervical specimens we use it safely in our everyday office practice in many leep cases. (the experiment mentioned was presented in ESGO congress2015). Methodology Argon is a chemical element in group 18 of the periodic table and is a noble gas. It is colorless, odorless, nonflammable and nontoxic as a gas. Argon is chemically inert under most conditions and forms no confirmed stable compounds at room temperature. Argon constitutes a cheap material. It has low thermal conductivity and is sometimes used even for extinguishing fires. Based on the argon characteristics above and our previous experience we herein use the simultaneous argon insufflation in the area before cervix so as there is no oxygen to be burned and provoke smoke or tissue damage during leep. Results We apply a small plastic tube that isufflates argon connected to a 5-litre bottle of argon gas on the diathermy pen. The diminution of the thermal injury of the cone while using this patent is macroscopically obvious and microscopically significant. Especially, the zone of carbonization and coagulation of the entrance, middle and exit margins of the loop is decreased. Conclusion Although argon in Gynecology is mostly known in its liquid form via Cryosurgery procedures or in argon plasma beam electrosurgery the argon gas can also be used as a safe and cheap material. The use of lower watts electrosurgery allows us to excise high quality histological specimens inexpensively by altering the air medium of loop electrosurgical procedure to Argon or cooled-Argon. Disclosure Nothing to disclose