Nonantibiotic strategies to decrease the postbiopsy hospitalization rates because of infectious complications after...

To compare the effect of biopsy needle disinfection with 10% formalin solution alone and with povidone-iodine rectal cleaning on preventing infectious complications requiring hospitalization.

The data of 902 patients who underwent prostate biopsy by transrectal route were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria were prophylactic antibiotic use and negative urine culture before the biopsy. Three groups occurred according to the methods used during the biopsy procedure. In Group 1, 501 patients, biopsy needle disinfection was made using 10% formalin solution during the biopsy procedure. Group 2, 164 patients, applied only prophylactic antibiotics. Group 3, 237 patients, applied both 10% formalin disinfection of the biopsy needle and prebiopsy povidone-iodine rectal cleansing. Hospitalized patients because of infectious complications a month after the biopsy were our outcome measures.

Hospitalization rates because of biopsy-related infectious complications, according to Groups 1, 2, and 3, were 2.7%, 8.5%, and 0%, respectively. The best results were observed in Group 3 and the worst in Group 2.

The two nonantibiotic strategies, biopsy needle disinfection with formalin solution and rectal cleaning with povidone-iodine, look more effective when applied together. However, further prospective studies are required to confirm our analysis.