Transitioning from transrectal to transperineal prostate biopsy using a freehand cognitive approach

To report a single-centre experience of a complete transition from transrectal (TR) to transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy under local anaesthesia using a freehand cognitive coaxial approach and without use of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Analysis was performed of a prospective database of patients undergoing prostate biopsy performed by four surgeons between 1 June 2018 and 31 May 2022. Outcomes of interest were complications, cancer detection rate, inter-operator reliability, and tolerability.

Overall, 1915 patients underwent 2337 separate prostate biopsy sessions. Only 2.4% patients in the TP group received antibiotic prophylaxis, while 100% received antibiotics in the TR group. The complication rate was significantly lower in the TP group compared to the TR group (0.3% vs 5.0%, P < 0.001). In contrast to the TR group, there were no cases of urosepsis or admissions to intensive care in the TP group. The total cancer detection rate by TP biopsy was 70% and the overall pathology detection rate was 88.4%. There was no difference in cancer or pathology detection between operators. A stable level of cancer detection was reached early on for both Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System 4 and 5 lesions. All cases performed were performed successfully without need for early termination.

Implementing a complete transition from TR to TP biopsy can result in a significant reduction in complications and hospital re-admissions. A cognitive freehand coaxial technique is well tolerated by patients and achieves a high cancer detection rate.