Decreased Incidence of Bacteriuria Associated with Periodic Instillations of Hydrogen Peroxide into the Urethral Catheter Drainage Bag

Abstract

The incidence and source of bacterial colonization of the bladder was determined in 31 consecutive patients with acute spinal cord injury who required indwelling urethral catheterization. Patients were randomized to conventional drainage or to conventional drainage with a secondary sterile bag for periodic administration of saline or 3% H2O2. The H2O2 group maintained sterile bladder urine significantly longer than the conventional drainage group (P < 0.05). Cultures suggested that the reservoir for blader colonization was the bag in 5 of 12 patients (42%) on conventional drainage. Instillation of H2O2 prevented bacterial contamination of the drainage bag before bladder bacteriuria (P < 0.01) and also reduced drainage bag bacteriuria in patients with urinary infections (P < 0.0005). Bacterial contamination of the drainage bag, a frequent source of bladder bacteriuria, can be eliminated effectively by periodic instillation of H2O2.