The Effectiveness of Cefazolin Prophylaxis on Infection after Transureteral Lithotripsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Transureteral lithotripsy (TUL) is one of the most common surgeries in urology, and many TUL procedures have been performed with antibiotics prophylaxis. The present study investigates the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on the rate of urinary infection after TUL.

This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 158 patients with ureteral stones, with 79 in each group: the prophylaxis cefazolin group (Group A) and the placebo group (Group B). The patients were referred to Imam Hassan Hospital in Bojnurd, Iran. The standard technique of TUL operation was performed using a pneumatic lithoclast and a semirigid 9/8/Fr ureteroscope. The bacterial isolates were identified through growth on EMB agar and blood agar. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing (AST) was carried out by disc diffusion technique.

According to our results, 157 patients were eligible for analysis; 79 patients in Group A and 78 patients in Group B. Flank pain and urinary complaints were the most common symptoms. Our findings indicate that cefazolin prophylaxis did not show any significant differences in preventing postoperative infection between the two groups. E. coli accounted for eight 10.1% (8/79) Group A and 9% (7/78) in Group B, respectively. The results of AST for the 15 E. coli strains revealed a high rate of antibiotic resistance against ampicillin (73.3%).

Our findings indicate that prophylactic antibiotic administration does not demonstrate effectiveness in reducing the infection rate following TUL surgery. Antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended considering the potential adverse effects, cost implications, risk of antibiotic resistance, and lack of efficacy.