RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF TRANSRECTAL ULTRASOUND GUIDED PROSTATE NEEDLE BIOPSY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy is safe for diagnosing prostate cancer with few major but frequent minor complications. Patients are likely to have persistent hematuria for up to 3 to 7 days after the procedure. Recent use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is not an absolute contraindication for this procedure. Additional analgesics are not required in patients who undergo anterior or multiple biopsies but they may be useful in younger patients.