[Effect of cranberry extract capsules taken during the perioperative period upon the post-surgical urinary infection in gynecology].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of cranberry extract capsules taken during the perioperative period upon the post-surgical urinary infection (UTI) in gynecology.

DESIGN

Clinical prospective pilot trial.

SETTING

Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Merciful Brothers Hospital, Brno and Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Charles University 2nd Medical Faculty and Teaching Hospital Motol, Prague.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cohort consisted of 286 women who underwent hysterectomy and/or anterior vaginal repair (with or without anti-incontinence operation) in the above hospitals in the period 1. 9. 2006 -30. 6. 2007. 132 women from among the total were given cranberry extract capsules (equiv. 17,000 mg of fresh fruit) twice a day, 4 days before and 5 days after the surgery. The rest were the control group. The clinical state and the analysis of catheterized urine including bacteriology were determined on the day of surgery and on the 6th postoperative day. Cases with preoperative UTI and those with antibiotic therapy (due to other than urology indications) were excluded from the study. Thus the statistical analysis was made in the remaining 117 patients with prophylactic cranberry capsules and 139 controls.

RESULTS

There were 30.8% of positive cultured urines, 18.0% of pyuric specimens and 6.8% symptomatic urinary infections in the group of cranberry prophylaxis. Controls had significant bacteriuria in 27.3%, pyuria in 23.7% and symptomatic UTI in 5.0%. Differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The intake of cranberry extracts in the perioperative period (4 days before and 5 days after the surgery) did not affect the number of post-surgical UTIs.