Impact of Preoperative Urinary Tract Infection Screening in Asymptomatic Women Undergoing Midurethral Sling

There is limited information regarding the utility of preoperative urine culture (Ucx) screening to decrease postoperative UTI rates following midurethral sling (MUS).

The primary objective of this study was to determine if the rate of postoperative UTI within the first 6 weeks after surgery is lower in women undergoing MUS when preoperative Ucx is obtained compared to when it is not. Secondary objectives were to determine clinical factors associated with postoperative UTI risk.

This is a retrospective cohort study of women who did not have symptoms of or a diagnosis of cystitis at the time of their preoperative evaluation and are undergoing MUS. Patients were grouped into those who had preoperative Ucx screening within 6 weeks preceding surgery and those who did not. UTI rates 6 weeks following surgery were compared between groups. Additionally, factors impacting the risk of developing a UTI within 6 weeks of surgery were assessed.

Among 661 patients, 13.2% had a UTI within the first 6 weeks. There was no significant difference in UTI rates between those who did and did not have preoperative Ucx, respectively (14.9% vs 10.2%, p = 0.09). On multivariable analysis, current smoker status (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.10–8.26), history of recurrent UTI (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.14–7.86), and requiring postoperative SIC (OR 8.75, 95% CI 1.83–41.74) were independently associated with a UTI within 6 weeks of MUS.

Obtaining preoperative Ucx in asymptomatic women prior to MUS does not appear to be associated with lower postoperative UTIs rates within 6 weeks of surgery.