News Center

Microwave Therapy for Refractory Gastric Ulcers

This article reports on the efficacy and outcomes of endoscopic microwave therapy for refractory gastric ulcers, which has been employed at our hospital since 1990. 1. Clinical Data A total of 17 patients with refractory gastric ulcers were included in this study (with 19 lesions). Among them, 14 were male and 3 were female, ranging in age from 21 to 74 years, with an average age of 47.5 years. The patients had suffered from chronic, nonhealing gastric ulcers or recurrent ulcerations, accompanied by a history of complications lasting 3–8 years. All cases had been confirmed as benign gastric ulcers through multiple endoscopic examinations and/or histopathological biopsies. Specifically, there were 2 ulcers located at the gastric fundus, 3 ulcers in the gastric body, 7 ulcers at the gastric angle, and 5 ulcers in the gastric antrum. With the exception of 2 cases involving dual ulcers, all other lesions were solitary. Ten ulcers measured less than 1 cm in diameter, while 7 ulcers ranged from 1.1 to 1.5 cm. All patients had a long history of alcohol consumption and smoking, spanning 7–12 years. Twelve patients also had concurrent chronic superficial gastritis, 2 had chronic superficial atrophic gastritis, 6 experienced 1–4 episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and 7 were infected with Helicobacter pylori. Six patients had comorbid cardiovascular disease, 1 had liver cirrhosis, and 1 had chronic renal insufficiency. Prior to surgery, all 17 patients had undergone treatment with H2 receptor antagonists—or a combination of H2 receptor antagonists, amoxicillin (for 2 weeks), furazolidone (for 2 weeks), and bismuth colloidal preparations (for 2 weeks)—for at least three months. Follow-up examinations revealed that HP had turned negative in all cases, with no changes observed in the ulcerative lesions themselves. 2. Treatment Methods The procedure was performed using an Olympus GIF XQ10 or GIF-105 fiber gastroscope, along with a multifunctional microwave therapy unit operating at a frequency of 2450 MHz and a maximum power output of 100 W. After routine endoscopic examination identified the lesions, a small amount of clear water was injected to thoroughly cleanse the lesion and surrounding tissues. Depending on the degree of elevation around the ulcer, different microwave electrodes were selected. For tissue with higher elevations around the ulcer, needle-shaped electrodes were used to deliver multiple puncture points along the elevated margins, applying coagulation therapy in a circular pattern. Microwave power was set between 20–30 W, with each point treated for 10–30 seconds; if necessary, the procedure could be repeated. For tissue with lower elevations around the ulcer, spherical or cylindrical electrodes were applied closely against the surface of the elevated tissue, using the same microwave power settings and treatment protocol. The base of the ulcer was generally left untreated. In cases of active bleeding, spherical electrodes were used simultaneously to achieve hemostasis through coagulation. After completing the treatment, the patient was observed for several minutes; if no adverse events occurred, the procedure was concluded. Postoperatively, patients were advised to follow a protective diet and continue taking H2 receptor antagonists and gastric mucosal protectants for 8 weeks. 3. Results All 19 ulcers were reexamined after a single microwave treatment session. Twelve ulcers showed complete healing, while the remaining ulcers had significantly reduced in size by more than half. By the 8-week follow-up, all ulcers had healed completely. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. During a 12–18 month follow-up period involving 14 patients, no abnormalities were noted. 4. Discussion Refractory gastric ulcers arise from the combined effects of multiple pathogenic factors. These factors are not only related to acid production but are also closely linked to HP infection. Long-term unhealthy lifestyle habits—such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption—as well as age-related declines in organ function and the presence of other chronic, severe diseases in elderly patients, all play a significant role in the development of refractory gastric ulcers. Due to the prolonged impact of these various adverse factors, some patients experience abnormal changes during the ulceration process: fibrous tissue proliferates excessively at the ulcer margins, leading to hardening of the surrounding tissue. Poor blood circulation further contributes to persistent nonhealing, recurrent ulcerations, or the onset of complications. Endoscopic microwave therapy works by delivering microwave energy into the body, where it interacts locally with tissue to generate a highly localized, high‑temperature effect. This causes tissue coagulation and necrosis, disrupting the fibrous, hardened connective tissue at the ulcer margins and inducing the formation of new, coagulated ulcers. Under the synergistic action of pharmacological agents, this process promotes improved blood circulation and accelerates epithelial regeneration, ultimately achieving ulcer healing. In this cohort, all 19 ulcers healed completely within 8 weeks following a single treatment session, with no intraoperative or postoperative complications reported. Among the 14 patients followed up for 12–18 months, no recurrences were observed. We believe that endoscopic microwave therapy represents an effective, safe, simple, and side‑effect‑free approach to treating refractory gastric ulcers—particularly suitable for elderly patients who are frail or have other serious chronic conditions that make surgical intervention less appropriate.

Source:

Views:

412

12

2022-04

Endoscopic Microwave Therapy for 1,265 Cases of Gastrointestinal Polyps

Materials and Methods A total of 1,265 patients with gastrointestinal polyps were enrolled, including 780 males and 485 females, aged 11–74 years. A total of 1,566 polyps were identified, including 6 cases of multiple colonic polyps. The polyps were distributed as follows: 74 in the esophagus, 48 at the gastroesophageal junction, 405 in the stomach, and 982 in the colorectum. The smallest polyp measured approximately the size of a grain of rice, while the largest was 4.5 cm × 3.0 cm. All patients underwent preoperative evaluation to assess inflammatory and proliferative polyps, with 1,126 cases identified. A multifunctional microwave therapy device was used for treatment. Preoperative preparation and precautions were identical to those for endoscopic examination. Fifteen minutes prior to the procedure, 0.5 mg of atropine was administered, ranging from 654 to 210 mg, to inhibit gastrointestinal peristalsis and reduce digestive secretions. Microwave power, duration, and number of treatments were selected based on polyp size: for polyps <1.0 cm, 50 mA was applied for 3–5 seconds, with 1–4 applications; for polyps >1.0 cm, 20–30 W was typically used for 6–10 seconds, with 4–7 applications, until the polyp tissue underwent local vaporization or exhibited white coagulation. For pedunculated polyps, electrocautery applied to both sides of the base yielded particularly good results. Results and Discussion In this cohort, 90.2% of polyps disappeared after a single treatment session. For 123 patients with larger or more numerous polyps, treatment was performed in 2–4 sessions, or multiple separate procedures using microwave electrocoagulation were employed. All patients who underwent two or more treatment sessions experienced complete resolution of their polyps. Postoperative follow‑up revealed that, in some cases, ulcerative changes were observed within one week, but the mucosa returned to normal after more than one week. Among the 216 patients followed up, 2 cases (one over 1 year, the other 2 years and 7 months) underwent surgical resection due to adenoma malignancy; no further recurrences were noted in the remaining patients. During the treatment period, no major bleeding or perforations occurred; only a few patients experienced mild postoperative abdominal pain, which resolved with rest or oral administration of fleroxacin. Three patients with P-J syndrome had multiple large polyps; postoperatively, they experienced slight bleeding, which quickly subsided following medical management. Both domestically and internationally, it has been demonstrated that microwave therapy achieves a 100% success rate in polyp removal. In this study, for broad-based or short‑pedunculated polyps with diameters <1.0 cm, the “top‑electrocautery with pressure” technique was employed; for long‑pedunculated polyps, the “base‑side bilateral” approach proved highly effective, allowing for single‑session ablation with an efficacy rate exceeding 90%. When achieving coagulation and vaporization, it is preferable to apply short, repeated pulses—this minimizes the impact of intestinal peristalsis and ensures safe, reliable heating during endoscopy. For multiple polyps <1.0 cm, dozens of lesions can be removed in a single session; for long‑pedunculated polyps >2.0 cm, high‑frequency electrocautery is recommended, as it facilitates complete polyp removal for histopathological examination, thereby improving the detection rate of malignant transformation and preventing incomplete ablation or excessive thermal damage to surrounding tissues—which could lead to complications such as bleeding or perforation. In this series, we treated 3 cases of P-J syndrome involving dozens of polyps of varying sizes and shapes in the colon. After staged, batch‑wise electrocoagulation, one patient showed excellent recovery of the colonic mucosa without recurrence. During treatment, any tissue scabs that formed on the microwave antenna electrode should be promptly removed to avoid compromising therapeutic efficacy—this can be achieved by gently retracting the antenna or repeatedly rotating the control knob while lightly sliding it along the gastrointestinal wall. Abroad, microwave therapy has been shown to effectively destroy cancer cells when thermal energy reaches 42–48°C. Additionally, microwave therapy has been reported as a viable option for treating esophageal anastomotic strictures. In our own practice, we treated 2 patients with early-stage esophageal cancer, 4 patients with advanced esophageal cancer presenting with strictures, and 2 patients with anastomotic stricture due to esophageal resection. These treatments alleviated dysphagia and prolonged survival. In summary, microwave therapy is simple to perform, cost‑effective, safe, and reliable; it does not require hospitalization and is associated with few complications, making it ideal for widespread adoption in primary care settings.

Source:

Views:

343

02

2022-03

30

2021-12

Observation of the Efficacy of Millimeter Wave Therapy for Burn Scars

From February 1999 to August 2000, our department implemented early rehabilitation treatment using millimeter waves in 20 patients who had undergone deep second-degree wound healing of the wrist. The results were highly encouraging: this approach effectively inhibited scar hyperplasia, relieved pain, reduced swelling, and improved joint mobility. 1. Subjects and Methods Twenty patients with deep second-degree burns to the wrist were selected and randomly divided into two groups: one receiving millimeter-wave rehabilitation therapy, and the other undergoing elastic compression therapy alone as a control group. The control group received only elastic compression. A millimeter-wave therapeutic device operating at a frequency of 42.5 GHz was used; millimeter-wave rehabilitation therapy was initiated immediately after wound healing, twice daily for 40 minutes per session. The radiation head was positioned 1 cm from the skin, with a total treatment duration of 30 days. 2. Results Evaluation Criteria Effective: No hypertrophic scars, no pain or intense itching, skin color transitioning from bright red to pale pink, then gradually approaching that of normal skin, with wrist joint mobility essentially restored to normal. Ineffective: Presence of scar hyperplasia accompanied by pain and itching, with some degree of impairment in wrist joint movement. After two treatment cycles, 19 out of 20 patients in the experimental group showed improvement, while 1 patient was deemed ineffective, yielding an overall efficacy rate of 95%. In contrast, among the 20 patients in the control group, 9 achieved effective outcomes, while 11 were classified as ineffective, resulting in an efficacy rate of 45%. Statistical analysis revealed that the experimental group demonstrated significantly superior therapeutic outcomes compared to the control group (X² = 8.49; P < 0.01). 3. Discussion Wrist joint function is essential for both work and daily life. Historically, rehabilitation for burn scars in functional areas has relied primarily on medication and compression therapy—but the results have often been less than ideal. Most patients developed varying degrees of scar hyperplasia, accompanied by unbearable pain and itching, which not only affected their appearance but also severely compromised joint function in severe cases. As such, the rehabilitation of burn scars has long been a significant clinical challenge. However, practical experience has shown that combining millimeter-wave therapy with elastic compression is far more effective for the rehabilitation of deep scars. Millimeter waves are electromagnetic waves ranging from 1 to 10 mm in wavelength, corresponding to frequencies between 30 and 300 GHz—the highest end of the microwave spectrum—and closely align with the intrinsic resonant frequency of mammals, which is around 50 GHz. As an energy wave capable of being introduced into the body via resonance, millimeter waves may stimulate or regulate the body’s latent potential by inducing coherent oscillations at specific frequencies, thereby triggering a series of biological effects that ultimately lead to scar rehabilitation. Early initiation of millimeter-wave rehabilitation promotes improved blood circulation, enhances the return flow of capillaries and lymphatic vessels, and helps alleviate swelling. Millimeter waves activate polymorphonuclear neutrophils and stimulate type I complement receptor (CR1) on red blood cells, boosting red blood cell immunity and facilitating the absorption and excretion of pathological byproducts. This process aids in the clearance and removal of proliferative fibroblasts from the wound-healing tissue, thereby inhibiting scar formation. Furthermore, millimeter waves promote the absorption and excretion of active substances such as histamine, providing relief from itching. At the same time, millimeter waves encourage the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal basal cells, helping to restore the skin’s normal structure. Millimeter waves also play a crucial role in promoting nerve repair and regeneration in burned skin—especially in cases of deep burns. Many patients report that persistent, excruciating pain in scar tissue over extended periods is often due to inadequate nerve recovery following injury. Millimeter-wave therapy effectively facilitates the rehabilitation of neural tissue in deep burn areas, ultimately achieving pain-free outcomes. Scar rehabilitation is most effective when initiated early—rather than delayed. Once wound healing is complete and dressings are removed, immediate commencement of millimeter-wave rehabilitation can suppress or eliminate pathologic fibroblasts in their “nascent” stage within the tissue. As long as early rehabilitation is carried out effectively, there is no need for the lengthy 6–8 month treatment courses typically required in the past. Millimeter-wave therapy offers several distinct advantages for scar rehabilitation: (1) It can effectively kill or inhibit the proliferation of pathologic fibroblasts, thereby suppressing scar formation; (2) It avoids the side effects associated with long-term pharmacological treatments commonly used in scar management; (3) The treatment is simple, safe, non‑invasive, free from toxic side effects, and cost‑effective—making it highly popular among burn patients. Therefore, early application of millimeter-wave therapy in scar rehabilitation deserves widespread promotion. Modern Rehabilitation, June 2001, Vol. 5, No. 6

Source:

Views:

376

20

2021-10

18

2021-09

The Role of Millimeter Waves in Burn Treatment

Burns are a common type of trauma, typically caused by thermal injuries—including burns from hot liquids such as water or oil, steam, flames, and scorching metals or molten plastics like molten steel, steel ingots, or high‑temperature plastics. These injuries primarily affect the skin and/or mucous membranes, with severe cases potentially extending into the subcutaneous tissues. With the advancement of modern industrial and agricultural production technologies, chemical and electronic burns have also been on the rise. Fires, the combustion and explosions of flammable and explosive materials, and even modern warfare can all result in large numbers of burn victims. The severity of a burn is influenced by several factors: 1. The extent of the burn area; 2. The depth of the burn; 3. The location of the burn; 4. The cause of the burn; 5. The patient’s age; 6. The patient’s overall physical condition; and 7. Whether there are any associated injuries—such as respiratory tract damage—or signs of poisoning. Among these factors, the burn area and burn depth are the most critical. Of course, these factors are interrelated and mutually influential, so they must be considered and addressed comprehensively during clinical diagnosis and treatment. The estimation of burn surface area refers to the percentage of the total body surface area affected by the burn. In China, the “New Nine‑Point Rule,” which was developed based on actual measurements of human body surface area, is commonly used to quantify burn extent. There are numerous methods for classifying burn depth; traditionally, China has relied on the “Three‑Degree, Four‑Stage Classification.” To facilitate the admission of mass casualty patients, the organization of emergency care, and the efficient allocation of personnel and resources, China has also established a Chinese classification system for burn severity, dividing burns into four categories: mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe. Millimeter waves refer to ultra‑high‑frequency electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from 1 to 10 mm and frequencies between 30 and 300 GHz. Clinically, millimeter wave therapy is grounded in the “Electromagnetic Coherent Oscillation” theory proposed by British physicist H. Flohrich, leveraging the biological effects generated within the human body through resonance to treat various diseases. The most prominent biological characteristic of millimeter waves is their “non‑thermal effect.” The “non‑thermal effect” means that when the human body is exposed to low‑power density radiation (<10 mW/cm²), immune function is enhanced without causing a temperature increase exceeding 0.1°C at the irradiated site. In the treatment of burns, the “non‑thermal effect” delivers unique therapeutic benefits that cannot be replicated by other medical devices. Millimeter wave therapy for burns can activate neural, humoral, and local conduction systems, promoting microcirculation and tissue perfusion, improving tissue nutrition and cellular biooxidation, increasing cellular activity, enhancing protein synthesis, stimulating hematopoietic tissue function, boosting immunity, and activating lymphocytes and macrophages in damaged areas. This significantly strengthens the body’s ability to control inflammatory responses and to repair and regenerate tissues, thereby powerfully facilitating the normalization of both the morphology and function of affected tissues or organs and alleviating clinical symptoms. First, as an energy wave that can be delivered into the body via resonance, millimeter wave therapy is particularly effective in early burn rehabilitation. It helps improve blood circulation, promotes the return flow of capillaries and lymphatic vessels, and reduces swelling. Millimeter waves activate polymorphonuclear neutrophils and enhance red blood cell immunity by stimulating Type I complement receptor (CR1), while also facilitating the absorption and excretion of pathological byproducts. This aids in the clearance and removal of proliferating fibroblasts from wound healing sites, effectively supporting burn treatment; moreover, by promoting the absorption and excretion of active substances such as histamine, millimeter waves help relieve itching. At the same time, millimeter waves stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of basal skin cells, helping to restore the skin’s normal structure. Second, millimeter wave therapy plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation of nerve tissue in severely burned skin, enabling pain relief. Millimeter waves can suppress or eliminate early-stage pathological fibroblasts in their “bud” state—meaning that with timely and effective rehabilitation treatment, patients no longer need the lengthy 6–8 month recovery periods often required in conventional therapies. Some researchers have employed millimeter wave therapy to treat burn scars, achieving remarkable results that, upon statistical analysis, proved significantly superior to those obtained with other treatment methods. Millimeter wave therapy for cutaneous burns offers the following advantages: ⑴ It can effectively kill or inhibit the proliferation of pathologically generated fibroblasts. ⑵ It avoids the side effects associated with drug‑based burn treatments. ⑶ The treatment is simple, safe, non‑invasive, free from toxic side effects, and cost‑effective. Millimeter wave therapy devices are classified as physical therapy instruments—safe and reliable—and their “non‑thermal effects” and other biological characteristics make them the preferred choice among physiotherapy devices for burn treatment. For this reason, millimeter waves possess unique therapeutic efficacy in the management of burns.

Source:

Views:

545

07

2021-09

19

2021-08

< 1...789...14 > proceed page