A Single Dose of Intraoperative Antibiotics Is Sufficient to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection During Ureteroscopy

Abstract Background: American Urology Association (AUA) Best Practice Guidelines for ureteroscopic stone treatment recommend antibiotic coverage for <24 hours following the procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the addition of postoperative antibiotics reduces urinary tract infections (UTIs) following ureteroscopic stone treatment beyond the recommended preoperative dose. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients at two institutions, University of British Columbia and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard. All patients received a single dose of antibiotics before ureteroscopic stone treatment. A subset of patients was also given postoperative antibiotics. The rate of UTI was compared in patients receiving only preoperative antibiotics (group 1) vs those who received pre- and postoperative antibiotics (group 2). Results: Eighty-one patients underwent ureteroscopy for renal calculi. Mean time to follow up was 42 ± 88 days. Eight (9.9%) patients in total (two f...