In addition to sclerosifying by use of fibroendoscope which acts upon the source of
bleeding, to achieve hemostasis and prevent
bleeding relapses nowadays other methods have also gained acceptance. Major importance among these is attached to diathermocoagulation. It may principally be assumed that diathermocoagulation is indicated for
critically ill patients with serious accompanying diseases of primary or secondary importance, as well as in the event of persistent
bleeding during the clinical examination and impending resumption of
bleeding soon after the examination. Hemostasis by
electrocoagulation should not be attempted in patients in agonal state when endoscopic examination is in its self dangerous. It is contraindicated also when the source of
bleeding can not be established, in cases of severe arterial
bleeding, blurring the optics, and in severe concave
ulcers carrying the risk of perforation. The method was applied on 173 patients; in 96 (55 per cent)
electrocoagulation was successful and in 78 (45 per cent) was unsuccessful.
Electrocoagulation was considered a success in patients with acute
ulcers and
cardiovascular disease, in cases of large erosive units of
drug origin, in posteriorly located
gastric ulcers, in
Mallory-Weiss syndrome and in
gastric cancer.