[Discontinuous oral ciprofloxacin for transurethral resection of the prostate. Initial results]

To describe the rate of infectious complications using a discontinuous scheme of oral ciprofloxacin in transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P). To try to weigh the influence of clinical background, operative complications and postoperative outcome on the development of such complications. To compare the results to those obtained with equal methodology using antibiotics in a continual scheme until the catheter removal.

A prospective open study was designed including 53 consecutive patients with sterile urine and without indwelling catheter subjected to TUR-P. Patients received oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg (4 doses) before going to the surgical room, the night of surgery, next morning of surgery and before catheter removal. Three patients were excluded after incorporation (5.6%) and all the remainders completed follow up.

Fifty patients are analyzed. Fever was present in 8 patients (16%). Systemic clinical infection was present in 3 patients (6%). No isolated-germ postoperative bacteriuria was present. Previous urinary infection (UTI) was statistically associated to systemic clinical infection (p = 0.007) and to active chronic prostatitis on operative biopsy (p = 0.002).

Probably previous UTI antecedent made less advisable the discontinuous scheme use in TUR-P, although a greater number of patients is needed to confirm these statement. When these results are compared to those using antibiotics in a continual scheme until catheter removal, a significant higher frequency of fever is seen (p = 0.022).