Silver-impregnated Suprapubic Catheters (SPC) in Urogynecology
Silver-impregnated Suprapubic Catheters (SPC) in Urogynecology
The purpose of this study is to compare urinary tract infection rates among women undergoing
 urogynecological procedures with a silver-alloy suprapubic catheter compared to the standard
 suprapubic catheter.
Urinary catheters are used routinely in the postoperative care of urogynecology patients
 after surgery involving the genitourinary tract. However, Urinary tract infections(UTI)
 associated with indwelling catheter is the second leading cause of nosocomial infections. 20%
 of hospital acquired bacteremia arise from UTI with an associated mortality of 10%.

 There are many different types of catheters available for use. Standard indwelling catheters
 are made from a variety of materials including polyvinyl chlorine, plastic, plain latex,
 polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone elastomer, pure silicone hydrogel and polymer hydromer.
 Specialized catheters have been developed with the aim of reducing infection. Strategies
 generally involved coating the inner, outer or both surfaces of the catheter with
 antimicrobial materials. These materials can be antibiotic or antiseptic with the most common
 antiseptic material used being silver. Silver ions are bactericidal, are used safely when
 applied topically to humans and used in controlling infections.

 Previous studies comparing UTI rates in transurethral catheters have reported a significant
 reduction of UTI rate in silver-alloy catheters with a range of 5-12% compared to standard
 catheters with a range of 7-50%. There are no studies comparing the UTI rate in silver-alloy
 supra-pubic catheters to standard supra-pubic catheters. The investigators hypothesize that
 this study will show a statistically significant decrease in UTI rate among the individuals
 with a silver-alloy suprapubic catheter compared to the standard silver-alloy catheter.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  patients requiring intra-operative placement of suprapubic catheters as part of
 routine post-operative care for repair of vaginal anterior compartment prolapse i.e.
 patients undergoing anterior colporrhaphy, Burch colposuspension, with or without
 mid-urethral sling

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Known UTI at time of surgery

 -  Unable to provide informed consent

 -  Use of chronic intermittent self-catheterization pre-operatively

 -  Use of chronic prophylactic antibiotics

 -  Use of antibiotics for any indication other than UTI during peri-operative and 6-week
 post-operative period

 -  Presence of fistula involving urogenital tract

 -  Use of chronic steroids or immunosuppressant

 -  Immunocompromised patient