[A NATIONWIDE QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY ON PREVENTION OF PERIOPERATIVE INFECTIONS IN UROLOGY]

(Background) The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of urologists regarding the prevention of perioperative infections in preparation for the revision of the Guidelines for the Prevention of Perioperative Infections in Urological Field (2015). (Methods) From January 26 to March 30, 2022, we administered questionnaires to members of the Japanese Urological Association on their adherence to the guidelines and administration methods of antimicrobial prophylaxis for perioperative infections. There were 362 respondents. (Results) The respondents reported adhering to the guidelines completely (15.5%), to some extent (55.5%), poorly (24.3%), and not at all (4.7%). Adherence rates also varied for surgical procedures, ranging from 73.8% in transurethral resection of bladder tumor to 32.9% in laparoscopic (robot-assisted) contaminated surgery. Excluding contaminated surgery and transurethral resection of prostate, where long-term administration is relatively acceptable, open clean-contaminated surgery had the highest rate of long-term administration (≥72 h) (27.2%) and transurethral resection of bladder tumor had the lowest rate (7.3%). Adherence rates for clean surgery and transurethral ureteral lithotripsy shortened to a single dose of antimicrobial agents were low. (Conclusion) The selected antimicrobial agents were generally in compliance with the guidelines. With the exception of contaminated surgery, they were administered long-term in clean-contaminated surgery where the urinary tract and genitalia were exposed. Surgical procedures in which a single prophylactic dose of antimicrobial agents was administered had a low compliance rate. After the revision of the guidelines, it is considered important to update the clinical paths at each facility.