Trans-rectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate: Nationwide diversity in practice and training in the United Kingdom

Abstract

TRUS-guided needle biopsy of the prostate is the standard technique in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Our survey highlights nationwide diversity in practice in the UK with respect of the number of cores taken, antibiotic prophylaxis and local anaesthesia utilisation. This raised the issue of standardising the practice. More urologists are also actively taking part in this procedure, making the structured training increasingly important.

Increasing Hospital Admission Rates for Urological Complications After Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy

“…Lee et al conducted a survey in the United Kingdom of the practice patterns of prostate biopsy. 10 Of the 140 physicians surveyed 48% used a single agent antibiotic and 52% used multiple antibiotics. Only 18% of physicians used a mechanical bowel preparation, 10 although this practice remains controversial.…”

Can residents perform transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy with patient comfort comparable to biopsy performed by attending staff urologists?

“…Indeed, a study from the United Kingdom assessing the comfort level of residents with TRUS biopsy indicated that most residents felt they had received insufficient training and were not comfortable with independent performance of prostate biopsy. 6 The effect of a urological surgeon's training level on the pain experienced by patients undergoing ambulatory procedures has been largely unexplored in the current literature. Cleveland Clinic recently published the first studies detailing the impact of urological resident training on patient care.…”

Profilaxis antibiótica en la biopsia transrectal de próstata

“…Una encuesta llevada a cabo en el Reino Unido reveló que tan sólo un 18% de los especialistas utilizaba algún tipo de preparación rectal previa a la biopsia 39 .…”