Bacteremia after proctoscopy and hemorrhoidal injection sclerotherapy

The incidence of bacteremia following proctoscopy and hemorrhoidal injection sclerotherapy was studied in 50 outpatients undergoing both procedures. Bacteremia was found in 2 per cent of the subjects after proctoscopy and in 8 per cent after sclerotherapy. None of the subjects developed symptoms of septicemia following the procedure. It is concluded that antibiotic prophylaxis should be used before sclerotherapy in patients with valvular heart disease or compromised host defense.