MULTIPLE TRANSRECTAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PROSTATIC BIOPSIES - TRUE MORBIDITY AND PATIENT ACCEPTANCE

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is becoming more widely used as a method of investigating prostatic disease. This study investigated the accep tance of this technique in 89 patients undergoing evaluation for suspe cted malignant disease. The true morbidity associated with TRUS and TR US-guided biopsy was evaluated. Serious complications were rare, but m inor complications were frequent. Careful counselling is recommended p rior to the procedure in order to minimise the patients' anxiety and e nsure that if complications do occur they are dealt with swiftly and a ppropriately.