Editorial Comment

Abstract

The risk of infectious complications after prostate biopsy has been increasing. 1 Carignan A. Roussy J.F. Lapoint V. et al. Increasing risk of infectious complications after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies: time to reassess antimicrobial prophylaxis?. Eur Urol. 2012; 62: 453-459 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (213) Google Scholar This has important implications for prostate-specific antigen screening, as the rate of false positives is as high as 75.9%. 2 Schroder F.H. Hugosson J. Roobol M.J. et al. Prostate-cancer mortality at 11 years of follow-up. N Engl J Med. 2012; 366: 981 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1004) Google Scholar As the vast majority of patients biopsied will not have prostate cancer, even 1 infection is too many. Indeed, when the US Preventative Service Task Force recommended against routine prostate-specific antigen screening, they used the complications associated with prostate biopsies as part of their rationale. 3 Moyer V.A. Screening for prostate cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2012; 157: 120-134 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1611) Google Scholar Reduction in Hospital Admissions With the Addition of Prophylactic Intramuscular Ceftriaxone Before Transrectal Ultrasonography–guided Prostate BiopsiesUrologyVol. 85Issue 3PreviewTo evaluate the hospitalization rates in 2 pre–prostate biopsy antibiotic protocols. Full-Text PDF