Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostatic Biopsy and its Complications: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Transrectal ultrasound of prostate provides better visual for biopsy. Transrectal
ultrasound guided prostate biopsy is usually performed in men with an abnormal digital rectal
examination, and elevated prostate specific antigen (>4ng/ml) or prostate specific antigen velocity
(rate of prostate specific antigen change) i.e., >0.4-0.75ng/ml/year. The aim of the study is to find out
the complications of transrectal ultrasound guided prostatic biopsies.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done among 50 patients who transrectal
ultrasound guided prostatic biopsies in a tertiary care hospital, from July 2017 to July 2019 after
receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical
College and teaching hospital. Convenient sampling was done. All patients were informed about
the potential benefits and risks of the transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy and patients
signed an informed written consent form. Statistical analysis was done by using Statistical Package
for Social Sciences version 16.

Results: Mean prostate specific antigen was 34.571 and mean weight of prostate was 44.6gm.
Moderate to severe pain was experienced by 15 (30%), 2 (4%) had hematuria with fever accounting
for 3 (6%) patients. All were managed conservatively with no mortality related to the procedure and
complication. Three patients was positive for malignancy on re-biopsy.

Conclusions: Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of prostate is a pioneer experience in Nepal. It
has proved to be an useful tool of diagnosis of suspected carcinoma of Prostate. Use of neurovascular
block may reduce the pain during the procedure.