In a 5-month period, 102 consecutive unselected cases undergoing the therapeutic endoscopy for esophageal varices were evaluated prospectively to determine the complication rate of fever and bacteremia after each treatment session(Endoscopic
variceal
ligation(EVL) 74, Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy(EIS) 28). The incidence of fever and bacteremia after EVL was 18.9%(14/74) and 8.1%(6/74), and after EIS 35.6%(10/28) and 10.3%(3/28) respectively. In our study, the incidence of fever and
bacteremia
after emergent or the first session of the procedures was relatively higher than that of elective or additional session of the proedures. The Child's classification of the underlying liver cirrhosis, type of varices, consuming time of the
procedure,
number of ligated bands and volume of injected sclerosing agent were not contributed to the incidence of fever and bacteremia after the procedure. These data indicate that fever and bacteremia can be complicated after EVL even the incidence is
less
than
after EIS, and there was relatively higher incidence of fever and bacteremia in emergent or the first session of EVL. Therefore, we conclude that closed observation and proper antibiotics should be required in cases of fever after emergent or
first
session of EVL. (Korean J Gastroenterol 1994 ; 26 : 771-776)
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