Argon plasma coagulation in treatment of patients with central airway obstruction under bronchoscope: An analysis of 72 cases

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation therapy for central airway obstruction under bronchoscope. Methods Clinical data about patients who underwent argon plasma coagulation （APC） therapy in department of respiratory of Chinese PLA General Hospital from September 2004 to September 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Their clinical efficacy and side effects were observed. Results Seventy-two patients （male 58， female 14） with an average age of （55.0±14.5）years had received APC therapy for 205 times. No major complications were found during or after operation. The postoperative dyspnea index was lower than the preoperative ones （u=6.972， P＜ 0.01）. KPS increased from 74.8±11.7 to 84.5±18.4 significantly（t=7.61， P＜ 0.01）. Of all patients， 20 （27.78%） were successfully treated， 47 （65.28%） were partially successfully treated， and 5（6.94%） were treated invalid. Conclusion APC is an effective and safe method for central airway obstruction resection.