Postoperative urinary tract infection and its prevention in gynecology.

During recent years, the occurrence and significance of bacteriuria has received much attention. The sequelae of asymptomatic bacteriuria may be far ranging and serious. The difficulty of eradicating chronic pyelonephritis imposes upon physicians the responsibility of preventing situations that predispose patients to its development.Some of the methods for dealing with this problem have been enumerated. The first is, of course, to catheterize only when necessary. Carefully done intermittent catheterization carries a smaller risk of infection than does the use of an indwelling catheter.When the decision to use a catheter has been made the procedure should then be undertaken with a proper size catheter and the most careful technique possible.Good technique is self evident but often neglected. From bladder to bottle continuous and unbroken asepsis must be maintained. An attempt at initially disinfecting the urethra by the use of solutions and lubricants containing antibiotics is worthwhile and safe.