Comparison of single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis in uncomplicated transurethral resection of the prostate

We evaluated the necessity for antibiotic prophylaxis in uncomplicated transurethral resection of the prostate. A total of 107 patients was entered into a double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Only 7 patients were excluded because they had positive preoperative urine cultures. All patients received a single dose of either 1 gm. cefonicid or saline placebo intramuscularly before surgery. No further antibiotics were administered. Urine cultures were obtained intraoperatively, daily while hospitalized, and at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. A growth of 10(4) organisms constituted a positive urine culture. Postoperative infection rates were statistically significant with 12% (6 of 51) in the cefonicid group and 37% (18 of 49) in the placebo group (p = 0.003). During the initial 2 days postoperatively there were no infections in the cefonicid treated patients as opposed to 8 in the placebo group (p = 0.003). Our study demonstrated the need for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection after uncomplicated transurethral resection of the prostate. This can be accomplished by using a single dose, broad-spectrum cephalosporin (cefonicid). This procedure simplifies the implementation and decreases the cost of prophylaxis for transurethral resection of the prostate.