Urinary Track Infection Prevention After Urogynecological Surgery

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in women. It is estimated that 1.6 billion dollars are spent on UTI treatment each year. Antibiotics have been the mainstay of treatment of UTIs, however frequent use has increased the prevalence of antibiotic resistant organisms. Therefore, focus has shifted to non-antibiotic therapy for UTI prophylaxis.

Methenamine Hippurate (MH) has been studied for decades due to its potential role in prevention of UTI. While not technically an antibiotic, MH works via its bacteriostatic action in the bladder. Benefits of MH are the lack of development of resistance, and the selective nature of this drug to the urinary system only. However, MH is best used in conjunction with an acidifying agent to increase its bioavailability (such as cranberry capsules or other acidic products). The usage of MH has been studied in various populations, has been seen to be effective in short-term catheterization. Usage of cranberry as prophylaxis for UTI is controversial; however, results have been favorable in the post-operative gynecological population.

Post-operative urinary retention (POUR) occurs frequently in patients who undergo incontinence and pelvic prolapse surgery. Although the definition of POUR can vary between clinicians, it is reported as 2.5-24% to as high as 43% after tension-free transvaginal mesh sling placement. This population is at also at high risk for UTI due to advanced age and menopausal status. Moreover, using a catheter longer than 2 days incurs a 2-fold increased risk of development of UTI with an estimated 5% increase in bacteriuria each day of catheterization.

In hopes to decrease the overuse of antibiotics and decrease the likelihood of antibiotic resistance, we propose that the use of MH and cranberry can reflect a potential benefit in this population of short-term indwelling Foley catheter use and help reduce the incidence of post-operative UTI after pelvic surgery.

The patients will then be randomized to either receive cranberry capsules and placebo OR cranberry capsules and Methenamine Hippurate.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who undergo major pelvic organ prolapse surgery that are diagnosed with POUR via failed retrograde void trial and require an indwelling Foley catheter upon hospital discharge.

Exclusion criteria

• Unwillingness to participate in the study
• Inability to understand English
• Pregnant women
• Patient personal history of nephrolithiasis, urogenital anomaly, neurogenic bladder, chronic renal insufficiency (GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m² or serum creatinine level >1.03 for >3months), sarcoidosis, and severe hepatic insufficiency
• Currently (prior 3 months) undergoing medical management for recurrent UTI or interstitial cystitis
• Active urinary tract infection
• Patient history of taking Warfarin (Coumadin)
• Intraoperative bladder injury or cystotomy
• Physical or mental impairment that would affect the subject's ability to take medications daily or fill out questionnaires
• Reported allergy to any of the ingredients in the cranberry, MH, or placebo pill