The finding that maximal urethral closure pressure and not urethral support is the factor most strongly associated with stress incontinence implies that improving urethral function may have therapeutic promise.
Objective
The risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) among women undergoing elective gynecologic surgery where a catheter is placed is high: 10 to 64% following catheter removal. We conducted the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the therapeutic efficacy of cranberry juice capsules in preventing UTI post surgery.
Study Design
We recruited patients from a single hospital between August 2011 and January 2013. Eligible participants were undergoing elective gynecologic surgery that did not involve a fistula repair or vaginal mesh removal. 160 patients were randomized and received two cranberry juice capsules two times a day, equivalent to two 8-ounce servings of cranberry juice, for 6 weeks after surgery, or matching placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants who experienced clinically-diagnosed and treated UTI with or without positive urine culture. Kaplan-Meier plots and logrank tests compared the two treatment groups.
Results
The occurrence of UTI was significantly lower in the cranberry treatment group compared to the placebo group (15/80 (19%) versus 30/80 (38%); OR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.79; p=0.008). After adjustment for known confounders, including frequency of intermittent self-catheterization in the post- operative period, the protective effects of cranberry remained (OR=0.42; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.94). There were no treatment differences in the incidence of adverse events; including gastrointestinal upset (56% vs. 61% for cranberry vs. placebo).
Conclusions
Among women undergoing elective benign gynecologic surgery involving urinary catheterization, use of cranberry extract tablets during the postoperative period reduced the rate of UTI by half.
Five patients with chronic distal biceps tendon ruptures underwent tendon repair using double-looped flexor carpi radialis tendon graft. Fixation was performed with suture anchors through a single anterior incision. All patients had excellent functional results at a minimum 2-year follow-up.
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