Norfloxacin Prophylaxis for Endoscopic Urological Surgery

Abstract

Summary— A series of 140 patients, undergoing various types of urological endoscopic procedures, was divided into 2 equal, parallel, randomised groups. The first group of 70 patients, undergoing lower urinary tract surgery, was randomised, half to receive norfloxacin prophylaxis and half no antibiotic cover; the other 70 patients, undergoing percutaneous renal surgery, were randomised, half to receive norfloxacin and half cefuroxime. It was found that 26% of patients not receiving antibiotic prophylaxis and 11% on cefuroxime prophylaxis developed post‐operative bacteriuria, with a high incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI). Only 1 patient of 70 on norfloxacin prophylaxis developed post‐operative bacteriuria, which quickly responded to prolongation of norfloxacin therapy. Prior to surgery, 10% of all patients were found to have previously undetected bacteriuria. This group was at high risk of developing post‐operative infection. Norfloxacin effectively prevented post‐operative bacteriuria and urinary tract infection in these patients. This study suggests that norfloxacin is a safe and effective prophylactic antibiotic in all forms of urological endoscopic procedures.