Suprapubic cystostomy: urinary tract infection and other short term complications.

AIMS To evaluate the frequency of urinary tract infection in patients with suprapubic cystostomy and other complications of the procedure within 30 days of placement. METHODS Patients characteristics, indication and types of cystostomy and short term (within 30 days); complications were analyzed in 91 patients. Urine analysis and culture was done in all patients to exclude those with urinary tract infection. After 15 and 30 days of the procedure, urine analysis and culture was repeated to evaluate the frequency of urinary tract infection. The prevalence of symptomatic bacteriuria with its organisms was assessed. Antibiotics were given to the postoperative and symptomatic patients and the relationship of antibiotics on the prevention of urinary tract infection was determined. RESULTS Of the 91 cases 88 were males and 3 females. The mean age was 40.52 +/- 18.95 with a range of 15 to 82 years. Obstructive uropathy of lower urinary tract.was present in 81% cases and 17 (18.6%) had history of trauma to urethra. All these cases had per-urethral bleeding on examination while x-ray urethrogram showed grade II or grade III injury of urethra. Eighty two of the procedures were performed per-cutaneously and 7 were converted to open cystostomies due to failure of per-cutaneous approach. Nine patients had exploratory laparotomy. Duration of catheterization was the leading risk factor for urinary tract infection found in 24.1% at 15 days and 97.8% at 30 days. There was low prevalence of symptomatic urinary tract infection. E.Coli was the prevalent organism. Antibiotics did not play a significant role in controlling catheter associated urinary tract infection. Blockage and macroscopic hematuria (self limiting) were the predominant complications encountered. CONCLUSION Duration of catheterization is the leading risk factor for the development of urinary tract infections. Catheter-associated bacteriuria are usually asymptomatic. Macroscopic hematuria and blockage of catheter are frequent which can be managed promptly without surgical intervention.