Local anesthesia by periprostatic block in transrectal ultrasound guided prostatic biopsy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of local anesthetic by peri-prostatic block in decreasing the pain and discomfort experienced by patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy of prostate.Patients and methodsFifty patients were submitted for TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. Patients were randomized in two groups: group-I, with 25 patients submitted to local anesthesia by 5 ml of 1% lidocaine injected at each side at the Mount of Everest and group-II, with 25 patients who underwent TRUS biopsy by conventional method with local xylocaine cream. After biopsy, patients were questioned about pain intensity during the procedure, using a grading scale from 0 to 10. Side effects and later complications of the procedure were also evaluated.ResultsGroup I patients with peri-prostatic block had a significantly lower pain score compared with group II without LA. In LA group the mean pain scores were 3.0 ± 1.8 and in group II patients with conventional method of biopsy it was 6.4 ± 2.2 (p < 0.001). There were no significant problems associated with LA infiltration.ConclusionTRUS-guided prostate biopsy is a traumatic and painful experience, but the peri-prostatic blockage use is clearly associated with more tolerance and patient comfort during the exam.