Antibiotic prophylaxis and secondary haemorrhage following transurethral resection of the prostate: a prospective trial.

One hundred and sixty-two patients were studied in a random double-blind controlled trial of co-trimoxazole to prevent secondary haemorrhage following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). There was a significant correlation between the incidence of post-operative urinary infection and secondary haemorrhage (P less than 0.05) but no difference between the incidence of bleeding in the treatment and placebo groups. Although infection may play a role in the development of secondary haemorrhage, co-trimoxazole for 10 days does not decrease the incidence of this complication.