Iatrogenic infections in urological practice: concepts of pathogenesis, prevention and management.

In this paper we review the pathogenesis, prevention and management of iatrogenic infection in urological practice. A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE. The topics discussed include the commonest home-care, outpatient, endourologic and open surgical procedures. In addition, we discuss iatrogenic urinary infections associated with special situations, including urinary diversion, urologic prostheses, diabetes mellitus, dialysis, kidney transplantation and complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). The findings of the literature review are as follows. Prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended with clean intermittent catheterization. With prolonged catheterization, antibiotics should not be used unless symptoms of pyelonephritis or septicemia become apparent. With transrectal prostate biopsy, infection can be prevented by rectal cleansing, use of smaller needles and administration of antimicrobial prophylaxis before and after the procedure. With ureteral stents, antibiotics should be restricted to patients with clinical signs of infection and high-risk patients. Infections after transurethral resection of the prostate can be prevented by avoiding risk factors and using perioperative antibiotics. In endourological procedures, antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated in cases of infected stones, preoperative UTIs or prolonged procedures. Antibiotics are not recommended for clean wounds, as prophylaxis for clean-contaminated wounds or as therapy for contaminated and dirty wounds. In patients with urinary diversion, the objective is to prevent pyelonephritis by avoiding both reflux and obstruction of the upper urinary tract. In patients with urological prostheses, the most important measure to overcome iatrogenic infection is prevention. In dialysis patients, iatrogenic infections can be prevented by the development of new catheter materials that are less susceptible to biofilms. In kidney transplant recipients, iatrogenic infections can be prevented by treating all types of infection prior to transplantation and by using peri- and postoperative prophylactic antibiotics.