Abstract

Introduction: We prospectively evaluated the efficacy of intrarectal lidocaine gel as local anesthesia during transrectal prostate needle biopsy.

Material and Methods: Between July 2002-March 2003, 84 patients were involved the study who underwent transrectal prostate needle biopsy due to abnormal prostate on digital rectal examination and/or elevated serum prostate specific antigen. Patients were randomized into two groups. 41 patients who received 20 cc of 2% intrarectal lidocaine (Xylocain®) 10 minutes before the biopsy as group 1 and 43 patients who received 20 cc of intrarectal lumbricant gel which had no contain lidocaine 10 minutes before the biopsy as group 2. The pain level during the biopsy was compared with pain level during intramuscular injection for preventing antibiotic medication one hour before the biopsy.

Results: In groups 1 and 2 median patient age was 67.8±1.3 year and 67.4±1.2 year (p=0.875), and median prostate specific antigen was 26.8 ±7.2 ng/ml and 14.8±3.05 ng/ml (p=0.393). In groups 1 and 2; of 7.3% and 43.2% the patients had more pain level during the biopsy than in the intramuscular injection respectively (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Intrarectal lidocaine gel is a cost effective, easy applicable, non invasive and efficacious procedure of providing anesthesia in patients undergoing transrectal prostate needle biopsy. We believe that its routine administration is necessary due to increase of patient’s comfort.