Prophylactic antibiotics in urology.

The emergence of prosthetic surgery and nonoperative surgical treatment of urolithiasis has seen with it an expanded application of prophylactic antibiotics. The very nature of these procedures with the often increased risk of infectious complications lends itself perfectly to wider but more judicious use of prophylactic antibiotics. Controlled clinical trials that address issues such as dosing, selection, and indications for antibiotic prophylaxis are lacking. Until that information is forthcoming, only recommendations can be made as we have tried to provide in this article.