FREQUENCY OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION FOLLOWING PROLONGED CATHETERIZATION IN POSTOPERATIVE SURGICAL PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: The urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections among hospitalized patients. Postoperative surgical patients requiring prolonged urinary catheterization are at increased risk of developing catheter-associated urinary tract infections, leading to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and higher healthcare costs.

Objectives: To determine the frequency of urinary tract infection following prolonged catheterization in postoperative surgical patients.

Study Design & Setting: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore over a period of six months from Dec 2025 to May 2026.

Methodology: A total of 120 postoperative surgical patients aged 18–70 years who required indwelling urinary catheterization for more than 72 hours were enrolled through consecutive non-probability sampling. Patients with pre-existing urinary tract infection, positive preoperative urine culture, congenital urinary tract abnormalities, chronic kidney disease, neurogenic bladder, or immunocompromised status were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Urine samples were obtained aseptically and subjected to microscopy and culture sensitivity testing. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Stratification was performed for age, gender, diabetes mellitus, and duration of catheterization.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 48.7 ± 13.6 years, while the mean duration of catheterization was 5.8 ± 1.9 days. There were 72 (60.0%) males and 48 (40.0%) females. Diabetes mellitus was present in 38 (31.7%)

patients. Urinary tract infection was observed in 22 (18.3%) patients. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated organism, accounting for 11 (50.0%) cases. Diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with UTI (31.6% vs. 12.2%, p=0.018), while catheterization duration exceeding five days was associated with a significantly higher infection rate (27.6% vs. 9.7%, p=0.004).

Conclusion: Urinary tract infection was a frequent complication among postoperative surgical patients undergoing prolonged catheterization. Diabetes mellitus and prolonged catheterization duration were significant risk factors associated with infection development