title: Incidence of bacteremia after endoscopic laser treatment of stenosing processes in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Bacteremia following endoscopic interventions has been repeatedly described. This prospective study was intended to establish the extent to which this condition can occur after endoscopic laser therapy. A total of 32 procedures to treat stenosing processes in the upper gastrointestinal tract had been performed on the 20 patients admitted to the study. The incidence of bacteremia was found to be 34%. Two patients developed sepsis that required antibiotic treatment, despite which, however, one of the patients died. Routine prophylactic antibiotic administration would, at present, appear to represent overtreatment. However, patients with cardiac diseases or artificial heart valves need antibiotic prophylaxis. Should a fever develop in patients undergoing laser therapy, immediate broad-band antibiotic cover is urgently recommended to prevent septic complications.
authors: Medizinische Klinik C, Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen am Rhein, FRG.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Kohler
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Riemann
mesh_terms: D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology*