Comparison of the prophylactic effect of cefazolin injection versus oral levofloxacin as prophylactic antibiotic in TURP surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Introduction

Use of antibiotic prophylaxis before transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is highly recommended. However, there is no agreement on the use of a single antibiotic for this purpose. This study aimed to compare the prophylactic effect of cefazolin injection with oral levofloxacin on postoperative complications in TURP surgery.

Trial design

Body temperature and urine culture results were obtained two and five days after surgery. Drugs’ side effects as well as surgery and catheterization time were also recorded.

Methods

In an analytical-comparative trial, the participants were randomly divided into two groups to receive cefazolin or levofloxacin before the surgery.

Results

The duration of surgery (min) and catheterization (days) were 41.5 ± 11.7 and 4.7 ± 1.8 for levofloxacin-treated group and 43.9 ± 11.9 and 4.7 ± 1.8 for cefazolin-treated group, respectively. The number of positive urine cultures, 2 and 5 days post-surgery were 12 and 14 for levofloxacin-treated group and 9 and 12 for cefazolin-treated group, respectively. Furthermore, both groups reported one fever two days after surgery and had no fever after 5 days. In total, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Additionally, no correlation was observed between the demographic data (i.e. age, BMI and prostate volume) and the postoperative complications (i.e. fever and urinary culture tests), except between age and urinary culture 2 days after the surgery.

Conclusion

Considering the lack of significant differences between the two groups, the use of oral levofloxacin is suggested as an easy to take and cost-effective alternative to injection of cefazolin before TURP surgery.

Trial registration

Iranian registry of clinical trials, IRCT registration number IRCT20160514027893N4, available through www.irct.ir, Registration date: 2024-03-13 (Retrospectively registered).