[Onset and significance of postoperative bacteriuria]

In 52 patients an indwelling transurethral catheter was inserted after gynaecological surgery for 5 days; no patient received antibiotics. At the time of removal of the catheter on the 6th postoperative day and 2 days later (8th postoperative day) a urine culture was set up. At the time of removal of the catheter on the 6th day, 26/52 patients (50%) had significant bacteriuria greater than or equal to 10(5)/ml. In 11 out of the 26 patients with bacteriuria the urine cleared spontaneously within 2 days; on the other hand, 10/26 patients with a negative culture at the time of removal of the catheter had significant bacteriuria 2 days later. As a group these women also had delayed spontaneous onset of voiding and persistence of residual urine. Younger patients (less than 45 years) had significantly fewer bacteriurias on the 6th day than older patients. A positive urine culture at the time of removal of the catheter should be treated with antibiotics; a negative urine culture should be repeated whenever spontaneous voiding is delayed, when there is persistent residual urine, or when the clinical signs of urinary tract infection are present.