Urinary culture and morbidity in gynecological surgery

Three hundred women undergoing gynecological surgery were evaluated as regards post-operative morbidity and its relationship to urinary tract infections. The incidence of pre-operative positive urine cultures was 6.3%. This was almost tripled post-operatively. Post operative morbidity was found in 39% of the cases with the highest rate following vaginal surgery. Urinary tract infection was thought to be the cause in 20% of the cases, wound infection in 42% and unknown among 36% of the cases. It was found that the pre- and post-operative urine cultures were poorly related to morbidity and it was particularly noted that 41% of patients who had positive post-operative cultures suffered no morbidity at all. It was concluded that the mere finding of positive post-operative urine cultures may not have accounted for the morbidity in some of the cases and the need for further search of the cause is discussed.