Pain perception during transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy: an objective analysis of local anesthesia use

We assessed the effect of periprostatic nerve blockade during transrectal ultrasound of the prostate prior to obtaining systematic needle biopsies and the discomfort associated with this procedure. A prospective randomized study was performed on 100 men requiring systematic needle biopsy of the prostate. Patients were assigned to two groups: Group 1 received no local anesthesia and Group 2 received a periprostatic injection of 5 ml 1% lidocaine solution (2.5 ml bilaterally) prior to undergoing biopsy of the prostate. The patients were asked to respond to a pre- and post-procedural questionnaire which consisted of four questions designed to evaluate pain perception and pain experienced, respectively, during the entire procedure. Mean pain scores for Group 1 responses vs Group 2 responses were not statistically different for any of the pre-procedural questions. Post-procedural pain scores were significantly lower in Group 2 vs Group 1 (control) for questions 1 and 3: question 1 (2.6+/-1.8 vs 3.8+/-1.8, P<0.05), question 2 (3.0+/-1.9 vs 3.7+/-2.1, P=0.14). Question 3 (2.8+/-2.0 vs 4.3+/-1.9, P<0.05), and question 4 (1.6+/-2.4 vs 2.1+/-2.6, P=0.38). During the study, no patient from Group 2 experienced any adverse reaction from the injection. Our data suggest that periprostatic nerve blockade during transrectal ultrasound of the prostate results in less patient discomfort.