New method of postprostatectomy bladder irrigation

Bacterial filters have been used to sterilise the hospital water supply in order to provide irrigant for postprostatectomy irrigation. This method was compared retrospectively to bladder irrigation derived from a still on the ward. Postoperative bacteriuria was similar in both groups of 75 patients, occurring in 23.7% of patients irrigated from the still and in 20% of patients irrigated via the filters. The bacterial filter proved reliable and as safe as using water from the still.