The incidence of bacteraemia after argon plasma coagulation in patients with chronic radiation proctocolitis

Aim  Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is considered a safe treatment for haemorrhagic chronic radiation proctocolitis (CRPC), but bacteraemia is a rare complication. The study aimed to evaluate the frequency of bacteraemia after APC. Method  A prospective study of 21 patients who underwent APC (30 procedures) for CRPC was carried out. Blood cultures (Bactec®) were obtained before and 30 min after the procedure (60 samples total). Patients were monitored for 48 h after the procedure to detect signs of infection. Results  None of the 21 patients had fever or any sign suggestive of infection after any of the 30 sessions. All baseline blood cultures were negative and two (7%) of the 30-min blood cultures were positive (Staphylococcus hominis n = 1; Streptococcus bovis and Rhodotorula sp n = 1). The first was likely to be a contaminant and the second patient had no evidence of any other colonic disease (neoplasia or polyps) beside CRPC. Conclusion  APC is a low-risk procedure regarding bacteraemia and does not warrant prophylactic antibiotic administration.