Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of disposable transrectal ultrasound needle guide in the prevention of possible infectious complications after transrectal prostate biopsy.
Methods: One hundred ninety-eight patients who underwent transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups; in group 1 (110 patients), prostate biopsies were taken with reusable needle guide. In group 2 (88 patients), biopsy was performed by using a disposable transrectal needle guide. Patients received 500 mg ciprofloxacin orally twice daily beginning the day before biopsy and continued for 1 week. Infectious complications were recorded as asymptomatic bacteriuria, acute urinary infection, high fever, and bacteremia.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.9 years. The mean age of the patients were 65.1 and 64.4 years in group 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.428). There were no significant differences between the regarding serum total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, total prostate volume, and transitional prostat volume (P(total PSA) = 0.822, P(free PSA) = 0.510, P(prostate volume) = 0.323, P(transitional zone volume of the prostate) = 0.376). Although asymptomatic bacteriuria was found in a total of 14 (7.1%) patients, acute urinary tract infection was diagnosed in 11 (5.5%) patients and high fever was observed in 16 (8.1%) patients. Blood cultures did not show bacteremia in either of the groups. Infectious complication rates were significantly lower in group 2 than the other group (P <0.001).
Conclusions: The use of a disposable needle guide helps minimize infection risk after transrectal prostate needle biopsy. The novel disposable needle guide seems to be the alternative to a reusable needle guide.