Norfloxacin as prophylaxis against urethral strictures following transurethral resection of the prostate: an open, prospective, randomized study.

An open, prospective, randomized study was performed to investigate the effect of norfloxacin prophylaxis on stricture formation and operative outcome after transurethral resection of the prostate. After resection, the 359 patients studied were randomly divided into 2 groups: 1) those given norfloxacin as prophylaxis for 15 days following removal of the catheter (norfloxacin group) and 2) those given no antimicrobial prophylaxis during the same period (control group). Of the patients 94 were excluded. At followup 6 to 12 months postoperatively, the number of strictures in the anterior urethra was 2 of 135 in the norfloxacin group and 22 of 130 in the control group (p < 0.01). Strictures in the bladder neck developed in 3 of 135 and 4 of 130 patients, respectively (not significant). As a consequence of a lower structure incidence in the anterior urethra in the norfloxacin group, fewer patients in that group were dissatisfied with the operative outcome. The results suggest that norfloxacin provides effective prophylaxis against stricture formation after transurethral resection of the prostate.