Preventing Infections After Prostate Biopsy: Prophylactic Antibiotics, Prebiopsy Rectal Culture, and Biopsy Approach

Abstract

Prostate biopsies are commonly performed for the early detection of prostate cancer and yet are associated with risks of life-threatening infections. Drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli are the most common etiologic agents. Multiple maneuvers can reduce the risk of postbiopsy infections and sepsis during transrectal prostate biopsy including periprocedural empiric or targeted prophylactic antibiotics (based on previous rectal culture) and prebiopsy rectal cleansing with a povidone-iodine solution. The transperineal approach is associated with a very low risk of infection without requiring antibiotic prophylaxis.

Keywords: Antibiotic prophylaxis; Infection; Prostate biopsy; Rectal enema; Sepsis; Transperineal; Transrectal.