Risk factors for catheter–associated urinary tract infections following radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer

Background: Radical hysterectomy is the mainstay of treatment for early-stage cervical cancer. Urinary tract dysfunction is one of the most common complications after radical hysterectomy, and prolonged catheterization has previously been defined as a significant risk factor for catheter–associated urinary tract infections. Objective: This study aimed to determine the rate of catheter–associated urinary tract infections after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer, and to identify additional risk factors for developing catheter–associated urinary tract infections in this population. Study Design: We reviewed patients who underwent radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer from 2004 to 2020 after institutional review board approval. All patients were identified from institutional Gynecologic Oncology surgical and tumor databases. The inclusion criterion was radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer. Exclusion criteria included inadequate hospital follow-up, insufficient records of catheter use in the electronic medical record, urinary tract injury, and preoperative chemoradiation. Catheter–associated urinary tract infection was defined as an infection diagnosed in a catheterized patient or within 48 hours of catheter removal, with significant bacteriuria (>10³ cfu/mL) and symptoms or signs attributable to the urinary tract. Data analysis was performed using comparative analysis and univariate and multivariable logistic regression using Excel, GraphPad Prism, and IBM SPSS Statistics. Results: Of the 160 included patients, 12.5% developed catheter–associated urinary tract infections. In univariate analysis, catheter–associated urinary tract infection was significantly associated with current smoking history (odds ratio, 3.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.39–10.08), minimally invasive surgical approach (odds ratio, 5.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.91–16.87), estimated surgical blood loss >500 mL (odds ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.57), operative time >300 minutes (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–9.36), and increased duration of catheterization (odds ratio, 18.46; 95% confidence interval, 3.67–336). After adjusting for interactions and controlling for potential confounders with multivariable analysis, current smoking history and catheterization for >7 days were identified as independent risk factors for development of catheter–associated urinary tract infections (adjusted odds ratio, 3.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.28–12.37; adjusted odds ratio, 19.49; 95% confidence interval, 2.78–427). Conclusion: Preoperative smoking cessation interventions for current smokers should be implemented to decrease risk for postoperative complications, including catheter–associated urinary tract infections. In addition, catheter removal within 7 postoperative days should be encouraged in all women undergoing radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer in an effort to decrease infection risk.