The contribution of periapical nerve block in transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: Results from a prospective randomized trial

ObjectivePeriprostatic nerve block has been shown to be the most effective method to reduce pain during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy, but the ideal technique remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare pain control between bilateral basal block (BBB) alone and BBB combined with periapical nerve block (PNB).Patients and methodsFrom November 2007 to May 2009, 182 consecutive patients with abnormally elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE) underwent TRUS-guided needle biopsy of the prostate. The patients were prospectively randomized after informed consent had been obtained. Group 1 (n = 90) underwent bilateral basal block (BBB) with periprostatic infiltration of 8 ml 1% lidocaine into the neurovascular bundle at the prostate-seminal vesicle junction on each side. Group 2 (n = 92) underwent BBB with the addition of periapical nerve block (PNB) using 2 ml 1% lidocaine per side. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the patient's perception of pain during the biopsy.ResultsThe mean patient age was 64.6 ± 8.2 years and the average VAS was 1.9 ± 2.0. The mean VAS was lower in Group 2 compared with Group 1, 1.6 ± 1.9 versus 2.2 ± 2.0 (p = 0.026). In the subgroup aged 56–65 years the mean VAS was 1.26 ± 0.6 in Group 1 versus 2.46 ± 0.5 in Group 2 (p = 0.001), and in the subgroup aged 66–87 years it was 1.41 ± 0.5 in Group 1 versus 1.66 ± 0.75 in Group 2 (p = 0.554).ConclusionsBBB combined with PNB seems to be more effective to BBB alone to reduce pain during TRUS-guided prostate biopsy and may be of maximum benefit for younger patients.