Loeb S, Vellekoop A, Ahmed HU, Catto J, Emberton M, Nam R, Rosario DJ, Scattoni V, and Lotan Y.
“Systematic Review of Complications of Prostate Biopsy.”
European Urology 2013; June epub.
Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23787356
This systematic review of prostate biopsy complications found that hematuria and hematospermia are most common, but are typically mild and self-limiting. Severe rectal bleeding is uncommon. Despite antimicrobial prophylaxis, infectious complications are increasing over time and are the most common reason for hospitalization after biopsy. Pain may occur at several stages of prostate biopsy and can be mitigated by anesthetic agents and anxiety-reduction techniques. Up to 25% of men have transient LUTS after biopsy, and <2% have frank urinary retention, with slightly higher rates reported after transperineal template biopsy. Biopsy-related mortality is rare.