Periprostatic local anesthesia before ultrasound guided prostate biopsy

Purpose: We assessed the morbidity and benefit of periprostatic local anest hesia administered before ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. Materials and Methods: After placing the transrectal ultrasound probe and v isualizing the prostate 50 consecutive patients received local anesthesia b efore prostate biopsies. Results: There was no morbidity associated with the infiltration of local a nesthesia into the periprostatic neurovascular plexus. Only 1 patient had d iscomfort during prostate biopsies, and 10 patients who previously underwen t biopsies without anesthesia commented favorably on the dramatic differenc e. Conclusions: Many patients have pain during transrectal ultrasound guided b iopsies of the prostate and few clinicians provide a periprostatic nerve bl ock before this procedure. A periprostatic nerve block administered before the biopsies dramatically decreases discomfort. We urge all urologists to a ttempt this procedure, and we are confident; that they will adopt it as par t of their practice.