Heater probe thermocoagulation for high-risk patients who show rebleeding from peptic ulcers

Aim To investigate whether heater probe therapy is effective for patients showing rebleeding from peptic ulcers. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the case profiles in our previous studies on endoscopic therapy for high-risk patients with peptic ulcer bleeding in the past two decades. We analysed the outcomes of 191 patients who showed rebleeding after initial endoscopic haemostasis and received endoscopic therapy with heater probe thermocoagulation. Results A total of 191 patients showing rebleeding received heater probe thermocoagulation. After re-therapy, 158 patients (82.7%) achieved ultimate haemostasis. Twenty-five of the 33 patients who failed to achieve haemostasis received surgical intervention. Ten patients (5.2%) died within 1 month after retherapy. Conclusion Heater probe thermocoagulation can be used as the first choice for management of patients showing rebleeding after initial endoscopic therapy.