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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Povidone Iodine Rectal Preparation at Time of Prostate Needle Biopsy is a Simple and Reproducible Means to Reduce Risk of Procedural Infection
Published on: September 21, 2015
A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of topical glyceryl trinitrate for transrectal ultrasound guided
Mark A Rochester1, Karena LE Monnier, Simon F Brewster
1Department of Urology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. rochester@doctor.org.uk
Purpose:
We evaluated the efficacy and tolerance of topical 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) paste vs placebo to decrease pain associated with transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.
Materials And Methods:
Between October 2003 and April 2004, 134 consecutive patients referred for a first prostate biopsy were randomized to receive topical 0.2% GTN paste or placebo 30 minutes prior to biopsy. Participants completed a 10 point visual analog pain score following the procedure.
Results:
Mean patient age was 68.5 years in the GTN group and 68.8 in the placebo group. There was a significant decrease in mean pain score in the GTN group compared with placebo (3.7 vs 4.8, p <0.05). Six patients (10%) in the GTN group complained of headache.
Conclusions:
Topical GTN paste is an effective and well tolerated method of decreasing pain associated with transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. It is safe and easy to use, and it should be offered to patients undergoing this procedure.
