Is antibiotic prophylaxis necessary for midurethral sling procedures? A series of 174 cases without preoperative antibiotics.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Despite the lack of evidence, antibiotic prophylaxis has been recommended for midurethral sling procedures. The goal of this study was to evaluate the rate of infectious complications in women undergoing midurethral sling procedures without antibiotic prophylaxis.

Methods: We reviewed the baseline characteristics and postoperative infectious complications of 174 consecutive women who underwent midurethral sling procedures without prophylactic antibiotics from April 2005 to January 2010. Patients undergoing concomitant vaginal surgery were excluded.

Results: The average age, parity, and body mass index of were 51.3 ± 12.6 years, 2.4 ± 1.3, and 30.1 ± 7.4 kg/m(2), respectively. There were no wound infections, 2 (1.4%) vaginal mesh exposures and 12 (8%) cases of bacteriuria.

Conclusions: The risk of infections is low when a midurethral sling is performed without antibiotic prophylaxis. Antibiotic prophylaxis does not appear to offer any benefit in midurethral sling procedures.