This is a summary of the current understanding of antimicrobial prophylaxis in urology. Because of the profound effect the new fluoroquinolones have had in urology, their use is particularly emphasized and critically evaluated. In the first part, general considerations of antimicrobial prophylaxis and their specific problems in urology are provided. This includes a cost-benefit analysis of antimicrobial prophylaxis. The second and third parts summarize results of laboratory and animal studies. The fourt part includes human studies and an extensive review of the pertinent literature. For the first time summarized in one book, specific guidelines for each urological procedure are provided, based on these theoretical, experimental and clinical considerations. The book primarily addresses the urologist, but infectious disease specialists and hospital epidemiologists may also derive relevant information from it.
