Complication rates after prostate biopsy according to the number of sampled cores

INTRODUCTION: A prostate biopsy can result in such complications as: hematuria, rectal bleeding, pain in hypogastrium, perineum or urethra, fever, nausea, vomiting, retention of urine or other adverse events. The aim of this research was to estimate complication rates after a prostate biopsy based on the number of cores. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The complication rate was evaluated on the basis of questionnaires filled out by patients. Questions were related to the occurrence of mentioned complications on the first and second day after prostate biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups: 1(st) group (41 patients) 5-8 cores and 2(nd) group (73 patients) 12 or more cores. RESULTS: There was no significant statistical difference in the occurrence of complications mentioned in the questionnaires in both groups. The biggest difference was recorded for hematuria – 1(st) day: 39% in the 1st and 53% in the 2nd group (p = 0.1398); 2(nd) day: 15% in the 1(st) and 30% in the 2(nd) group (p = 0.0650). Rectal bleeding on the 1(st) day also seems to vary: 12% in the 1st and 26% in the 2(nd) group (p = 0.0835). Other complications occurred in 3-8% of patients. 32% of patients in the 1(st) and 29% in the 2(nd) group (p = 0.7419) had no complications at all. CONCLUSIONS: The most common complications after a prostate biopsy are hematuria and rectal bleeding. Other complication rates are low. In general, complication rates after a prostate biopsy procedure are not related to the number of sampled cores.