Urological Neurology
Brazilian Journal of Urology
Official Journal of the Brazilian Society of Urology

Vol. 28 (1): 50-56, January - February, 2002
 
LUBRICATED URETHRAL CATHETERS WITH LIDOCAINE VERSUS GENTAMYCIN FOR CLEAN INTERMITTENT CATHETERIZATION
     
PATRÍCIA FÉRA, REGIANE Q. GLASHAN, HOMERO BRUSCHINI, MARIA A.S. LELIS, MIRELLA C.C. BARETTA, MIGUEL SROUGI
Division of Urology, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
   
Abstract
Introduction: Different methods for urinary tract infection prophylaxis have been proposed for patients who undergo intermittent catheterization, such as the lubrication of urethral catheters with 0.1% gentamycin cream. This study compared the lubrication of urethral catheters with 0.1% gentamycin cream and 2% lidocaine jelly in relation to the quantitative results of the urine culture and incidence of symptomatic urinary tract infection and nonsymptomatic bacteriuria in patients who undergo clean intermittent catheterization. Material and Methods: This randomized and prospective study was conducted in a General School Hospital from May/1999 to August/2000. Twenty patients, divided in groups A and B, were studied. Group A patients were directed to lubricate the urethral catheter with 0.1% gentamycin cream, and group B with 2% lidocaine jelly. All of them were advised to discard the catheter after use. Urine cultures and urine analysis were carried out every three weeks, for four months, in a total of 5 samples. The presence or absence of bacteria or fungus, the number of colonies and the isolated types, and the leukocyturia were evaluated. Results: No significant differences in the presence of significant bacteriuria, symptomatic urinary tract infection and nonsymptomatic bacteriuria were found between the two groups. Escherichia coli was the most common isolated bacteria in both groups. There was no growth of fungi. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the lubrication of urethral catheters with 0.1% gentamycin cream is not an effective alternative to reduce significant bacteriuria and prevent urinary infection in patients who undergo clean intermittent catheterization.
 
Key Words: bladder; urethra; catheterization; bacteriuria; antibiotics; urinary tract infection
Braz J Urol, 28: 50-56, 2002