title: The use of intermittent chlorhexidine bladder irrigation in the prevention of post-prostatectomy infective complications.
abstract: The efficacy of peri-operative intermittent bladder irrigation with 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate solution in the prevention of post-prostatectomy infective complications was assessed in men with pre-operative indwelling urinary catheters. Thirty-two consecutive patients undergoing transvesical prostatectomy were randomly allocated to the test group (chlorhexidine irrigation) and control group (saline irrigation). Pre-operatively, intermittent chlorhexidine bladder irrigation achieved sterile urine in only 3 of 13 patients, in the rest bacteriuria persisted. However, the irrigation was able to reduce significantly (P < 0.05) the incidence of intra-operative bacteraemia and severe wound infection. Furthermore, septicaemia was absent and post-operative urinary catheter requirements and hospital stay were shortened. Histology of bladder mucosal biopsies revealed that 0.05% chlorhexidine used on intermittent basis caused no injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adesanya
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Osegbe
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Amaku
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine