Polyvinilpyrrolidone-iodine (P.V.P.-I) bladder irrigation for prevention of catheter-associated urinary infections in patients treated by T.U.R.

The incidence of urinary infection in catheterized patients is very important in those undergoing T.U.R. for bladder neck and prostatic obstructions because the risk of jatrogenic defilement, and any method of preventing, reducing or delaying the occurrence of infection in catheterized patients, should be tooking considerations. Between March 1984 and September 1985 300 male patients, requiring catheterization after T.U.R. for out-flow obstruction (80% benign, 40% malignant prostatic disease, 16% bladder-neck obstruction), were introduced to the trial. All patients were managed by closed drainage system and treated, immediately after T.U.R., by continuous bladder irrigation with saline solution of iodine and polyvinylpyrrolidone (1:150-1:50 in 3000 ml) until elective removal of the post-operative catheter; use of antibiotics was restricted to preoperatory stage. At the elective removal of the post-T.U.R. catheter (between 3d and 7th day) the urino-culture in 79% showed no bacteriuria, in 15% showed mild infection (less than 500.000 organisms/ml) and in 6% revealed a severe infection (greater than 500.000 organisms/ml). At the same time 300 other patients-the control group-underwent to T.U.R. for the same diseases (out-flow obstruction) and received pre- and post-operative antibiotics only without P.V.P.-I irrigation. This treatment revealed sterile urine only in 40% of cases and persistent bacteriuria in 60% of cases. This original method in preventing and treating catheter infection of patients operated of T.U.R. has revealed itself as effective, simple, not too much expensive and without severe side effects.