Clinical Investigation

Effect Of Circumcision For The Prevention Of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection

  • Mesut YAZICI
  • Barlas ETENSEL
  • Ferah SÖNMEZ
  • Sezen ÖZKISACIK
  • Berna GÜLTEKIN
  • Neriman AYDIN

Received Date: 12.03.2003 Accepted Date: 10.06.2003 Meandros Med Dent J 2003;4(2):19-22

Objective: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an important problem of childhood and if left untreated, the microorganisms may migrate from the lower urinary system to upper levels, leading to chronic renal failure. A UTI source of considerable importance is preputial skin. This study was performed to identify the role of circumcision on prevention of recurrent UTI. Method: Study group consisted of uncircumcised male children diagnosed as recurrent UTI. Following diagnostic tests such as ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrography, intravenous pyelography and DMSA, circumcision was performed. Postcircumcision evaluation was made by urine culture. Results: Total number of patients in our study group was 12 with a mean age of 2.4 years. Urine cultures before circumcision revealed microorganisms such as E. Coli, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Klebsiella and Salmonella species. None of the urine cultures revealed a microbial growth in patients at the postcircumcision period. Conclusion: In uncircumcised children with recurrent urinary tract infections, the carrier state of preputial skin must be investigated, and circumcision must be accounted for as a step of treatment procedure.

Keywords: child, urinary tract infection, circumcision