The incidence of post-operative urinary tract infection in patients with ureteric stents

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Urology
• Infectious Disease Management

Background:

• Ureteric stents, while beneficial, can cause foreign body reactions and increase infection risk.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a known complication of ureteric stenting in pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incidence of urinary tract infections in pediatric patients undergoing ureteric stenting.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing UTIs post-ureteric stenting.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 36 pediatric patients (40 ureteric stents) undergoing various urological procedures.
• Inclusion criteria required sterile urine pre-operatively; all patients received post-operative antibiotic cover.
• Urine cultures were obtained during the study and one month post-stent removal.

Main Results:

• A low incidence of positive urine cultures (7.5%) was observed during the stenting period.
• A significantly higher incidence of infection was noted in urine specimens collected one month after stent removal.
• The study demonstrated a low rate of infection during ureteric stent placement.

Conclusions:

• Ureteric stenting in pediatric patients is a safe procedure with a low risk of infection.
• Adequate antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial for minimizing UTIs associated with ureteric stents.
• Close monitoring for infection is recommended even after stent removal.