The risk of exposure to potentially contaminated body fluids in urological surgery

To determine the risk of exposure to body fluids potentially contaminated with infectious organisms we instituted a prospective study of all urological procedures performed at our institution. Urological procedures were divided into 3 categories: open, cystoscopic and endoscopic surgical (transurethral resection of the prostate or bladder tumor, ureteroscopy and percutaneous procedures). We have complete data analysis on 594 consecutive patients who underwent an operation at our institution: 77 (13%) underwent an open procedure, 75 (13%) underwent an endoscopic surgical procedure and the remaining 442 (74%) underwent cystoscopic procedures. All procedures were performed by supervised house staff using universal precautions. The operating surgeon was exposed to potentially contaminated body fluids in 173 of 594 cases overall (29%). There was exposure in 17% of all open procedures, 41% of all endoscopic surgical procedures and 29% of all cystoscopic procedures. Urologists must consider themselves at high risk for exposure to potentially contaminated body fluids and take appropriate precautions.