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Practice and Safety of Rigid Cystoscopy Without Prior Urine Culture or Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Observational Analysis in Chad

Received: 25 February 2026     Accepted: 20 July 2026     Published: 28 October 2026
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Abstract

Introduction: Cystoscopy is a key diagnostic procedure in urology, but the need for prior urine culture and routine antibiotic prophylaxis remains controversial due to the low risk of infection reported in several studies. In resource-limited settings, these practices pose particular challenges. This study evaluates the safety of rigid cystoscopy performed without prior urine culture or antibiotic prophylaxis in a referral center in Chad. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study at the Urology Department of CHU La Renaissance, Chad, including patients who underwent outpatient rigid cystoscopy without prior urine culture or antibiotic prophylaxis between 2023 and 2025. Patients with active urinary tract infections were excluded. Clinical data, indications, and post-procedural complications were analyzed descriptively. Results: During the study period, 361 patients underwent cystoscopy, of whom the majority were male (n = 329, 91.1%) with a mean age of 46.4 years (range, 14-81). The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (19%) and hypertension (14%). Lower urinary tract symptoms were the leading indication for cystoscopy (n = 157, 43.5%), followed by hematuria (n = 130, 36.0%). Cystoscopy was successfully completed without intraoperative complications in most patients (n = 329, 91.2%). Normal cystoscopic findings were observed in 97 patients (26.9%). Post-procedural complications were generally mild, with pain being the most frequent (n = 69, 19%), and symptomatic urinary tract infections occurring in 14 patients (3.9%) within an average of 48 hours. No severe infectious complications were reported. Additional interventions included urethral dilation/urethrotomy, bladder biopsy, and prostate biopsy. Conclusion: This study in Chad shows that rigid cystoscopy without prior urine culture or routine antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with a low rate of mild infections, with no cases of sepsis or hospitalization. It suggests that a selective approach, based on clinical evaluation and strict aseptic technique, is safe and appropriate in this context.

Published in International Journal of Clinical Urology (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14
Page(s) 131-137
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Rigid Cystoscopy, Antibiotic Prophylaxis, Urinary Tract Infection, Outpatient Urology, Tchad

References
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[2] Rindorf D, Ockert LK, Larsen S. The extent of experiencing availability issues and deteriorating performance associated with reusable cystoscopes, a multicentre study. European Urogynaecological Association conference poster.
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[7] Garcia-Perdomo HA, Jimenez-Mejias E, Lopez-Ramos H. Efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in cystoscopy to prevent urinary tract infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Braz J Urol. 2015 May-Jun; 41(3): 412-24; discussion 424.
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[12] Agrawal, V., Jha, A. K., Palmo, D., & Mohanty, D. E. B. J. Y. O. T. I. (2018). Post procedure effects of diagnostic rigid cystoscopy. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 12(2), 8-11.
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[15] Oranusi, C. K; Nwofor, A. M. E; Obiesie, E. A. Experience with the Rigid Cysto-urethroscope: A Multicentre Review in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal 51(4): p 180-181, Oct-Dec 2010.
[16] dJM HOdONOU, F., GANDAHO I, P. A., MAMADOU TT, O. S., Hodonou, R., & Ce, A. K. (2015). Apport de la cystoscopie rigide dans le diagnostic des anomalies et pathologies du bas appareil urinaire à Cotonou. Medecine d’Afrique Noire, 62(6), 306.
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Cite This Article
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    Nedjim, S. A., Mahamat, M. A., Allah-Syengar, N., Kouldjim, A., Vadandi, V., et al. (2026). Practice and Safety of Rigid Cystoscopy Without Prior Urine Culture or Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Observational Analysis in Chad. International Journal of Clinical Urology, 10(2), 131-137. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14

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    ACS Style

    Nedjim, S. A.; Mahamat, M. A.; Allah-Syengar, N.; Kouldjim, A.; Vadandi, V., et al. Practice and Safety of Rigid Cystoscopy Without Prior Urine Culture or Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Observational Analysis in Chad. Int. J. Clin. Urol. 2026, 10(2), 131-137. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14

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    AMA Style

    Nedjim SA, Mahamat MA, Allah-Syengar N, Kouldjim A, Vadandi V, et al. Practice and Safety of Rigid Cystoscopy Without Prior Urine Culture or Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Observational Analysis in Chad. Int J Clin Urol. 2026;10(2):131-137. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14,
      author = {Saleh Abdelkerim Nedjim and Mahamat Ali Mahamat and Ndormadjita Allah-Syengar and Adoumadji Kouldjim and Valentin Vadandi and Rimtebaye Kimassoum},
      title = {Practice and Safety of Rigid Cystoscopy Without Prior Urine Culture or Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Observational Analysis in Chad},
      journal = {International Journal of Clinical Urology},
      volume = {10},
      number = {2},
      pages = {131-137},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcu.20261002.14},
      abstract = {Introduction: Cystoscopy is a key diagnostic procedure in urology, but the need for prior urine culture and routine antibiotic prophylaxis remains controversial due to the low risk of infection reported in several studies. In resource-limited settings, these practices pose particular challenges. This study evaluates the safety of rigid cystoscopy performed without prior urine culture or antibiotic prophylaxis in a referral center in Chad. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study at the Urology Department of CHU La Renaissance, Chad, including patients who underwent outpatient rigid cystoscopy without prior urine culture or antibiotic prophylaxis between 2023 and 2025. Patients with active urinary tract infections were excluded. Clinical data, indications, and post-procedural complications were analyzed descriptively. Results: During the study period, 361 patients underwent cystoscopy, of whom the majority were male (n = 329, 91.1%) with a mean age of 46.4 years (range, 14-81). The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (19%) and hypertension (14%). Lower urinary tract symptoms were the leading indication for cystoscopy (n = 157, 43.5%), followed by hematuria (n = 130, 36.0%). Cystoscopy was successfully completed without intraoperative complications in most patients (n = 329, 91.2%). Normal cystoscopic findings were observed in 97 patients (26.9%). Post-procedural complications were generally mild, with pain being the most frequent (n = 69, 19%), and symptomatic urinary tract infections occurring in 14 patients (3.9%) within an average of 48 hours. No severe infectious complications were reported. Additional interventions included urethral dilation/urethrotomy, bladder biopsy, and prostate biopsy. Conclusion: This study in Chad shows that rigid cystoscopy without prior urine culture or routine antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with a low rate of mild infections, with no cases of sepsis or hospitalization. It suggests that a selective approach, based on clinical evaluation and strict aseptic technique, is safe and appropriate in this context.},
     year = {2026}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Practice and Safety of Rigid Cystoscopy Without Prior Urine Culture or Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Observational Analysis in Chad
    AU  - Saleh Abdelkerim Nedjim
    AU  - Mahamat Ali Mahamat
    AU  - Ndormadjita Allah-Syengar
    AU  - Adoumadji Kouldjim
    AU  - Valentin Vadandi
    AU  - Rimtebaye Kimassoum
    Y1  - 2026/10/28
    PY  - 2026
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14
    T2  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
    JF  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
    JO  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
    SP  - 131
    EP  - 137
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2640-1355
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20261002.14
    AB  - Introduction: Cystoscopy is a key diagnostic procedure in urology, but the need for prior urine culture and routine antibiotic prophylaxis remains controversial due to the low risk of infection reported in several studies. In resource-limited settings, these practices pose particular challenges. This study evaluates the safety of rigid cystoscopy performed without prior urine culture or antibiotic prophylaxis in a referral center in Chad. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study at the Urology Department of CHU La Renaissance, Chad, including patients who underwent outpatient rigid cystoscopy without prior urine culture or antibiotic prophylaxis between 2023 and 2025. Patients with active urinary tract infections were excluded. Clinical data, indications, and post-procedural complications were analyzed descriptively. Results: During the study period, 361 patients underwent cystoscopy, of whom the majority were male (n = 329, 91.1%) with a mean age of 46.4 years (range, 14-81). The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (19%) and hypertension (14%). Lower urinary tract symptoms were the leading indication for cystoscopy (n = 157, 43.5%), followed by hematuria (n = 130, 36.0%). Cystoscopy was successfully completed without intraoperative complications in most patients (n = 329, 91.2%). Normal cystoscopic findings were observed in 97 patients (26.9%). Post-procedural complications were generally mild, with pain being the most frequent (n = 69, 19%), and symptomatic urinary tract infections occurring in 14 patients (3.9%) within an average of 48 hours. No severe infectious complications were reported. Additional interventions included urethral dilation/urethrotomy, bladder biopsy, and prostate biopsy. Conclusion: This study in Chad shows that rigid cystoscopy without prior urine culture or routine antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with a low rate of mild infections, with no cases of sepsis or hospitalization. It suggests that a selective approach, based on clinical evaluation and strict aseptic technique, is safe and appropriate in this context.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Surgery, Renaissance University Hospital Center, N'Djamena, Chad;Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of Abeche, Abeche, Chad

  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad

  • Department of Surgery, Renaissance University Hospital Center, N'Djamena, Chad;Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad

  • Department of Surgery, Renaissance University Hospital Center, N'Djamena, Chad;Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of Abeche, Abeche, Chad

  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of Abeche, Abeche, Chad

  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad

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