Appropriate surgical prophylaxis in transurethral genitourinary surgery and potential reduction in nosocomial infections

Abstract

Despite the high rate of urinary tract infections seen in hospitals, until recently many surgeons did not advise antibiotic prophylaxis for transurethral genitourinary surgery. This situation has changed with the realization that older trials with questionable results were poorly designed. Several recent well-controlled clinical studies show that appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis greatly reduces the high incidence of infections following transurethral genitourinary surgery. Effective antibiotic prophylaxis for transurethral operations may be a major route to substantial reduction in nosocomial urinary tract infections and bacteremia. To achieve effective prophylaxis, the surgeon must choose a correct antibiotic and use it according to proved principles.