Argon Plasma Coagulation Colonic Perforation: Review of A Case

Abstract

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a haemostatic process used in gastrointestinal tract angiodysplasieas. Colonic perforation is a rare complication and only nine cases have been published in literature. Treatment of colonic perforation is exclusively surgical. The aim of this article is to report a new case of APC colonic perforation. A 73-year-old man has been admitted for iatrogenic colonic perforation. He is followed in the gastroenterology unit for colonic angiodysplasia. At the third session of APC, the 16/02/2011, he presented abdominal pain and distension. Chest X-ray showed a pneumoperitoneum, which was an indication for emergency surgery. The patient had a laparotomy approach five hours after perforation. The peritoneal cavity was clean. Intra-operative findings showed a linear perforation of 5 mm long of the anterior region of the cecum and there were no abnormalities in the remaining colon. The cecal wound was sutured. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 4th post-operative day. APC is a more and more used hemostatic method, notably in the treatment of colonic angiodysplasias. Colonic perforation is a rare complication of this technique. Treatment is exclusively surgical.