The Safety of Transrectal Biopsy of the Prostate as an Out

The complications following transrectal prostatic biopsy are reviewed in 150 patients. The most frequent complications were urinary infection and pyrexia. A prospective study within the reported series demonstrated a high incidence of bacteriaemia following biopsy. The results suggest that transrectal prostatic biopsy may be performed safely as an out-patient procedure without the use of prophylactic antibiotics, although antibiotic therapy may be indicated when complications do arise.