RESUMO
To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, we studied 130 patients who were submitted to prostate surgery. These patients were divided into 3 groups. Overall morbidity was lower for the patient group that had received antibiotic prophylaxis (Netilmicin, 3 doses) than for the group on placebo and the group on antibiotics postoperatively. The incidence of significant bacteriuria for the group on Netilmicin was less at 7 days (7.5%) and at 30 days (20.5%) than for the other groups: (22.55%) and (49.36%) at 7 and 30 days, respectively. The foregoing data indicate that preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis should be used for periods less than 24 h in all noninfected patients undergoing prostate surgery. The cost of antibiotic therapy, presence of opportunistic organisms and the duration of hospital stay are reduced by antimicrobial prophylaxis.