The Hybrid-APC in the endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus

Abstract

Background: due to the risk of unsatisfactory evolution of patients with Barrett's esophagus (EB) towards esophageal adenocarcinoma, it is necessary to apply safe and effective techniques that prevent the outcome towards esophageal malignant lesions. The Hybrid-APC (argon plasma coagulation) is one of these techniques that allow stopping the natural history of EB in its initial stage. Objective: to conduct a review and reflection on the endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus with the Hybrid-APC. Methods: a search was conducted on Google, PudMed, SciELo regional, SciELo Public Health, National Library of Medicine PudMed engines. The search strategy used the terms: Barrett's esophagus, endoscopic treatment, Hybrid-APC. Extensive documents were evaluated and a summary document of the information collected was developed. The literature search found 20 works related to Barrett's esophagus, ten on endoscopic treatment, and five on specific to the use of Hybrid-APC. Results: studies reported the effectiveness and security of the ablation with the Hybrid-APC in the endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus with low degree dysplasia, and in the high degree dysplasia and remnant carcinoma in situ, after the endoscopic mucous resection. Conclusions: the endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus with Hybrid-APC is considered an alternative technique to stop the evolution of this pathology towards adenocarcinoma. This will generate motivation for training and its implementation in a generalized way. DeCS: BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS/therapy; ARGÓN PLASMA COAGULATION/methods; GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY/methods; ESOPHAGEAL NEOPLASMS/therapy; ENDOSCOPY/methods.