Complications of ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy. A prospective study.

A prospective study of the complications of transperineal prostate biopsy was undertaken in 171 patients; 150 (88%) returned a questionnaire 1 week after biopsy. The incidence of serious complications was low, with 1 patient requiring admission for presumed septicaemia and another developing acute retention of urine. Many patients had minor complications, with 42% having haematuria, 13% haemospermia and 31% pain. Only 18% needed analgesia following biopsy. Since transperineal prostate biopsy has such a low incidence of infective complications, we suggest that it should be considered in frail or elderly patients in whom septicaemia may be especially hazardous.