Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate. Do enemas decrease clinically significant complications?

Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate is the most common modality used to diagnose prostate cancer. Although many biopsy protocols have been described, in our opinion the role of enema before biopsy has not been definitively assessed in the literature.

A retrospective review of 448 transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies was performed. All biopsies were done with the same equipment, and all patients received identical antibiotic prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin. There were 38 patients excluded from the study secondary to alternate antibiotic prophylaxis. A total of 225 patients received enemas before biopsy, while 185 did not. Clinically significant complications necessitating office visit, secondary therapy and hospitalization were evaluated.

Overall, clinically significant complications developed in 4.4% (10 of 225) of patients who had versus 3.2% (6 of 185) of those who did not have an enema (p = 0.614). There were 2 patients in each group who underwent transurethral prostatic resection or suprapubic prostatectomy for gross hematuria and/or urinary retention after biopsy. Of the patients who received enemas 2 were hospitalized for urinary retention and complicated urinary tract infection. One patient in the group without enema was hospitalized for gross hematuria and clot urinary retention. No patients who did not receive enema preparation were hospitalized for infectious complications.

Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy accompanied by quinolone antibiotic prophylaxis remains a relatively safe procedure. Enema before biopsy provides no clinically significant outcome advantage, and potentially increases patient cost and discomfort.