Urinary infection after orthopedic procedures.

We have investigated prospectively the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in 5320 orthopaedic patients. There were 74 UTIs (1.39%). Enterobacteriaceae was the most frequent etiological agent. Each infection increased the length of stay in hospital by more than 8 days. Statistically independent risk factors for the development of urinary infection were a preoperative stay of more than 4 days, inadequate preoperative preventive measures, central venous catheterization and urinary catheterization. Sex, age, or type of surgery had no statistical influence on the development of infection.