The incidence of post-operative urinary tract infection in patients with ureteric stents.
Despite the many advantages provided by the ureteric stent, it produces a foreign body reaction and increases the risk of infection. We undertook a study on the rate of infection in a group of paediatric patients with ureteric stents; 40 ureteric stents, 6 to 9 F, were used in 36 children undergoing the following procedures: 18 pyeloplasties, 20 antireflux ureteric reimplantation and 2 uretero-rectal anastomoses. Only patients with sterile urine pre-operatively were included in the study. All received antibiotic cover in the post-operative period. Positive urine cultures were found in only 3 patients (7.5%). In spite of this low incidence, the urine specimens collected from all children 1 month after removal of the stent showed a much higher incidence of infection. It was concluded that ureteric stenting is a safe procedure with a low rate of infection provided that antibiotic cover is given.
Franco
G
G
Institute of Urology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
De Dominicis
C
C
Dal Forno
S
S
Iori
F
F
Laurenti
C
C
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology*