Endoscopic flushing electrocoagulation for upper gastrointestinal bleeding--an alternative to surgery.

Twenty-three patients, mean age of 65 years, planned for emergency surgery because of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, were electrocoagulated with an endoscopic Storz monopolar flushing electrode. Nineteen patients were managed successfully. Two out of twelve patients with gastric ulcer and both patients with gastrojejunal ulcer bleeding needed an operation. The overall success rate was 82% and the mortality was 9%. According to this study endoscopic monopolar flushing liquid electrocoagulation is a good alternative to surgery in upper gastrointestinal bleedings except gastrojejunal ulceration.