[Value and justification of urine dip-sticks in the diagnosis of postoperative urinary infections in urology].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the diagnostic value of urine dip-sticks for postoperative urinary tract infections.


METHODS
A prospective study was performed on 165 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, open prostatectomy for BPH or transurethral resection of the prostate or bladder. Postoperative bacteriuria was investigated by using Multistix urine dip-sticks and was verified by urine culture. The presence of nitrites was the only parameter of the dip-stick taken into account.


RESULTS
The overall infection rate was 9.7% (range: 7.3% to 16%). The dip-stick showed extremely poor sensitivity and specificity of 36.3% and 57.8%, respectively (p = 0.03). The main bacterial species isolated were: Escherichia coli (63%) and Enterococcus faecalis (27%).


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of diagnostic reliability of urine dip-sticks no longer justifies the use of these tests for the diagnosis of postoperative infection. Urine culture, with documented efficacy, remains the reference examination.
Milcent
Stéphane
S
Service d'Urologie, Hôpital du Val de Grâce, 74, Bd. de Port Royal, 75005 Paris, France. stephane.milcent1@libertysurf.fr
Berlizot
Patrick
P
Palascak
Robert
R
Koeck
Jean-Louis
JL
Fournier
Robert
R
Houlgatte
Alain
A
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D011934:Reagent Strips; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine
D011934:Reagent Strips