Is there any priority between the alpha blockers on voiding functions after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy?

Objective: Transrectal ultrasound–guided prostate biopsy is the gold standard in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Major and minor complications may develop at varying rates after prostate biopsies, one of which is voiding impairment. This study aimed to evaluate whether all alpha1-blockers were effective in preventing voiding impairment after a transrectal ultrasound–guided prostate biopsy and if so, was one superior to the others.

Material and methods: This study included 240 patients who underwent a transrectal ultrasound–guided 12-core prostate biopsy and were prospectively randomized. Of the patients, 40 received 10 mg alfuzosin, 40 received 4 mg doxazosin, 40 received 8 mg silodosin, 40 received 0.4 mg tamsulosin, and 40 received 5 mg terazosin beginning on the day before the biopsy and for the following 30 days. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximal flow rate, and post-void residual urine were recorded in all the patients before the procedure and on post-biopsy days 7 and 30. All he patients were followed up and questioned about voiding difficulty and acute urinary retention after the procedure.

Results: In all the alpha1-blocker groups, the IPSS and post-void residuals were statistically significantly lower, and the maximal flow rate was statistically significantly greater on post-biopsy days 7 and 30 compared with the baseline values (p<0.05). No patient in any of the alpha1-blocker groups developed acute urinary retention after the biopsy.

Conclusion: To prevent voiding impairment and deterioration in the quality of life after a prostate biopsy, preemptive therapy with alpha1-blockers may have a protective role, especially in patients with large prostate volumes.

Cite this article as: Efesoy O, Saylam B, Tek M, Bozlu M, Akbay E. Is there any priority between the alpha blockers on voiding functions after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy? Turk J Urol 2021; 47(2): 137-43.