Ultrasound Guided, Freehand Transperineal Prostate Biopsy: An Alternative to the Transrectal Approach

There is growing interest in the use of transperineal prostate biopsy due to the advantages of decreased infection risk and improved cancer detection rates. However, brachytherapy stepper units and templates may increase costs and operative time for the practicing urologist. We present the safety, feasibility and early outcomes of a single urologist's experience with ultrasound guided freehand transperineal prostate biopsy as an alternative to transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy.

A retrospective review of all prospectively performed ultrasound guided freehand transperineal prostate biopsies between January 1, 2012 and April 30, 2014 was performed. Primary outcome measurements were safety and feasibility.

A total of 274 ultrasound guided freehand transperineal prostate biopsies were performed in 244 patients. Operative and total operating room use times were 7.9 and 17.5 minutes, respectively, with an average of 14.4 cores obtained during each procedure. The overall cancer detection rates for all procedures, those in biopsy naïve patients and those performed for active surveillance were 62.8%, 56.4% and 89%, respectively. New diagnoses of prostate cancer occurred in 41.2% of patients with 10% positive after a previous negative transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy. Complications (Clavien grade I or greater) including systemic infection, urinary retention and hematuria or pain requiring physician or hospital intervention did not occur.

The use of ultrasound guided freehand transperineal prostate biopsy for the suspicion or surveillance of prostate cancer is feasible and safe. The results were encouraging with respect to the primary outcome measurements. Ultrasound guided freehand transperineal prostate biopsy with the patient under local anesthesia is currently under investigation. Large, prospective, randomized, multiple operator studies to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of freehand transperineal prostate biopsy and transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy techniques are recommended.