Cranberries after pelvic floor surgery for urinary tract infection prophylaxis

Rationale: One of the most common complications after pelvic floor surgery is an urinary tract infection (UTI), with an estimated risk of 10-64%. Many trials have been performed to reduce this rate. Antibiotics as prophylaxis may reduce the prevalence of UTI’s by 50%, but microbial resistance against antibiotics may be a large disadvantage. Therefor it is desirable to look for other prophylactic options. Recent research found a 50% reduction in rate for UTI with the use of cranberry capsules after elective gynaecology surgery. This suggests that cranberry capsules may serve as a good prophylaxis for UTI’s peri-operatively.



Objective: To assess whether cranberry capsules given peri-operatively reduce the risk of clinical overt UTI after elective pelvic floor surgery with indwelling catheter postoperatively, compared with placebo.



Study design: A single centre randomised controlled, double blind, placebo controlled trial.



Study population: All women planned for elective pelvic floor surgery.



Intervention: Cranberry capsules given for 6 weeks peri-operatively compared with placebo capsules.



Main study endpoints: Incidence of clinical diagnosis of UTI within 6 weeks after surgery. There is clinical diagnosis of UTI when the medical doctor (blinded for investigation arm) diagnoses and treats a UTI.



Analysis and sample size: The analysis will be performed by intention to treat. The sample size calculated is 100 women in each arm, as we expect the rate of UTI to drop from 40% to 20% with Cranberry prophylaxis, based on current incidence and results from other trials. In this sample size calculation we expect a 10% drop-out rate during the trial.

Cranberry capsules given peri-operatively reduce the risk of clinical overt urinary tract infection after elective pelvic floor surgery with indwelling catheter postoperatively compared with placebo

Diagnosis of urinary tract infection within six weeks after surgery.
Primary outcome is diagnosis and treatment by the medical docter based on symptoms and urine sediment.
Secondary outcome is confirmation of the diagnosis by urine culture.

Cranberry capsules given for 6 weeks peri-operatively compared with placebo capsules.