Is There a Role for Prophylactic Antibiotics Post Pediatric Pyeloplasty?

Abstract

Background: The use of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics in pediatric upper urinary tract reconstruction remains controversial. In this study, we elected to examine if prophylactic antibiotics post pediatric dismember pyeloplasty reduce the incidence of clinically symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) in our institution. As a secondary outcome, we also examine which patient population benefits the most from low dose prophylactic antibiotics.Methods: Institutional review board approval (IRB) was obtained. A retrospective study was performed in patients who underwent dismember pyeloplasty (2011-2017) at our institution. Patients with prior history of urologic interventions or other abnormalities of the genitourinary tract were excluded. Demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, insurance status), prior history of culture proven UTIs, surgical details (administration of perioperative antibiotics), and postoperative outcomes, including any readmission 30 days post repair, any urine samples, and culture results were collected.Results: 209 patients (149 boys, 60 girls) met our inclusion criteria. The average age was 6 years (range: 2 months-18 years). 160 patients (77%) underwent robotic-assisted pyeloplasty. Thirty-one patients underwent open repair (15%). 176 (84%) had an indwelling ureteral stent. Eleven patients (5%) had a culture-proven febrile UTI within 30-days postoperatively. No significant differences were seen in postoperative complications or incidence of UTIs when comparing surgical approaches, ureteral stent, or the use of prophylactic post-operative antibiotics. Secondary review of patients with post-operative febrile UTIs noted younger age (2.8 v. 6.2 years, p = 0.02) and positive intraoperative urine culture (p = 0.01) as significant risk factors. Conclusion: The incidence of postoperative UTIs in our cohort is relatively low. There is a higher incidence of febrile UTIs in patients less than 3 years old and those with positive intraoperative urine culture. The use of prophylactic antibiotics in patients post dismember pyeloplasty did not appear to affect the incidence of febrile culture proven UTIs, however, might be important in younger patients pre potty training.