Comparison of the effect of water vs. povidone-iodine solution for periurethral cleaning in women requiring an indwelling catheter prior to gynecologic surgery.

This study compared rates of bacteriuria and urinary tract infections in 60 women randomized to periurethral area cleansing with water or povidone-iodine solution prior to insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter. A urine specimen was collected immediately before and 24 hours after catheter insertion. There were no significant differences in the rate of bacteriuria or urinary tract infections in the water and povidone-iodine groups.