Complications Following Prostate Biopsy in a Tertiary Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the complications of prostate biopsy at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Methods: All patients, who underwent prostate biopsy between June, 2013 and September, 2014 were prospectively evaluated at the San Fernando General Hospital. A pre biopsy questionnaire was obtained to provide demographic information. Immediate complications were recorded at the time of the procedure. Patients were contacted by telephone every week for four weeks following biopsies and complications recorded. Clinical information included race, PSA, prostate volume, hypertension, diabetes, previous hospital admission and recent antibiotic usage.

Results: From June 2013 to September 2014, approximately 233 men underwent prostate biopsy at the San Fernando General Hospital. The mean age of the patient was 68.2 years. PSA elevation was the commonest indication for prostate biopsy (66.6%). Most patients tolerated the procedure with minimal discomfort. The most common complication was haematuria and was noted in 57.7% of patients with mean duration of 2.95 days. 8.6% complained of hematospermia with a mean number of ejaculates of 2.6. Rectal bleeding was reported in 19.2% with a mean duration of 1.95 days. 15% complained of new onset or worsening of voiding symptoms and 1.4% experienced acute urinary retention. Of the 7.7% who experienced infective complications of which 3 (1.4%) required hospital admission.

Conclusion: Transrectal ultrasound guided needle prostate biopsy is associated with frequent minor complications and few major complications. Infective complications still remain a concern and further study is still required to identify possible contributing risk factors.