INFECTION AFTER TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE - VARIATION AMONG CENTERS AND CORRELATION WITH A LONG-LASTING SURGICAL-PROCEDURE

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk factors of postoperative infection following transurethral resection of the pr ostate (TURP). Methods: 857 consecutive patients scheduled for TURP we re included in a French multicenter prospective study (12 surgical cen ters). For each patient, data were collected and analyzed as risk fact ors of postoperative infection. Statistical analysis used the chi(2) t est or Student's test for univariate analysis, then stepwise logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Results: The incidence of post-T URP infection was 21.6%: urinary tract infection (19.3%) and bacteremi a and/or septic shock (2.3%). Multivariate analysis documented three i ndependent risk factors of postoperative infection: preoperative bacte riuria (p < 0.003), duration of surgical procedure >70 min (p < 0.01) and the surgical center (p < 0.00001). Conclusion: The duration of the surgical procedure is an important postoperative risk factor of infec tion and there is a major difference between centers in terms of posto perative risk of infection. Further studies are needed to explain this last phenomenon.