Single-dose orally administered quinolone appears to be sufficient antibiotic prophylaxis for radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Objective: To evaluate a new prophylaxis routine, which was introduced at our clinic in December 1998, comprising a single oral dose of antibiotic given prior to radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Material and Methods: A total of 60 men scheduled to undergo RRP were included in a prospective study and received antibiotic prophylaxis in the form of a single oral dose of quinolone. Cultures were made from the tip of the catheter and from urine sampled at the time of extraction as well as I and 2 weeks post-extraction. The outcome of this prospective study of 60 men was then compared to the total numbers of patients operated on in 1998 (n = 103) and 1999 (n = 140) by means of a retrospective analysis of clinical files. Results: No cases of sepsis occurred. Two weeks after catheter removal, 15/60 patients had persisting bacteriuria. No other signs of infection were detected. Six patients developed a stricture of the anastomotic area during follow-up (mean duration 18.9 months). When the Study group was compared to all patients operated on in 1998 and 1999 no increases in the incidence of anastomotic strictures or serious infections or in the length of hospitalization could be detected. Conclusion: A single dose of antibiotic given before RRP appears to be sufficient prophylaxis.