Argon beam coagulator in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery

Forty-one women underwent laparoscopic argon-enhanced electrosurgery, 17 for ovarian endometriomas and peritoneal endometriosis, 5 for dermoids, 11 for deep endometriosis of uterosacral ligaments, and 8 for tubal infertility. Argon-enhanced coagulation was used to treat the bed of peeled endometrioma walls and superficial endometriotic lesions, for hemostasis after adhesions dissection and excision of endometriosis from uterosacral ligaments, and for tubal ampulla eversion. The settings used were 4.0 SPLM with 30 to 50 W coagulation current. Argon-enhanced coagulation provided both quick and safe hemostasis, and caused minimal damage to adjacent tissues without smoke and carbonizing of tissues. Better visualization due to the absence of smoke and minimal tissue trauma will probably help reduce blood loss and operating time, and enhance long-term outcomes of surgery.