Patient experience after transperineal template prostate biopsy compared to prior transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy

Introduction Transperineal template prostate biopsy (TTPB) is reported to have higher cancer detection and lower complication rate compared to transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPB). However, there is no report of the same patient's experience with both types of biopsy. To compare the patient reported experience in the same cohort of patients who underwent both TRUSPB and TTPB, using validated questionnaires. Material and methods We retrospectively utilised the Patient Reported Outcome Methods (PROM) tool validated for TRUSPB and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire to collect longitudinal data at follow-up in the same cohort of patients who underwent both TTPB and TRUSPB between January 2015 and February 2016. Results Out of 44 TTPB performed during the period, 35 patients had undergone both TRUSPB and TTPB. Patient reported pain post biopsy was significantly higher with TRUSPB (86% vs. 61%; p = 0.01). Post-biopsy urinary retention rates were significantly higher in the TTPB group (16.7% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.05, t test). Furthermore, the incidence of patient reported sexual dysfunction rates based on the IIEF-5 was significantly higher in the TTPB group (p = 0.001, t test). Conclusions Although overall TTPB was better tolerated in this cohort of patients with lower risk of health care contact, patients reported higher incidence of urinary retention and sexual dysfunction after TTPB compared to TRUSPB. Thus, patients should be adequately informed about potential risks with each biopsy as they may have significant impact on quality of life.