Abstract
The effect of intermittent bladder irrigation on the bacterial counts in urine samples was studied in patients with indwelling catheter and pre-existing urinary tract infection. Four different irrigating solutions were used. Irrigation with saline or 0.25 % acetic acid had no effect on the urinary bacterial count. The bacterial counts were effectively reduced during intermittent irrigation both with 0.02 % chlorhexidine and with 0.25 % silver nitrate. Silver nitrate gave the greatest reduction of bacterial counts but chlorhexidine is preferable due to fewer side effects and greater convenience.