Nosocomial infections after transurethral prostatectomy

In spite of new techniques transurethral prostatic resection (TURP) remains the gold standard in operative therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia. There are some suggested risk factors for TURP which could affect the rate of postoperative complications. In this prospective study we investigated whether the suggested risk factors have any relevance for the occurrence of nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs) after TURP and what kind of influence these infections may have on the clinical course. In general we found no statistically significant influence on the analyzed risk factors for the incidence of nosocomial UTIs. On the other hand in the group of patients with nosocomial UTIs both the rate of other nosocomial infections (i.e. septicemia) and the rate of inflammatory complications were significantly higher compared to the group without postoperative UTIs (p < 0.001). We conclude that all patients undergoing TURP should receive perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis.