Complications of prostate biopsy in two centres in Anambra State

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common malignant neoplasia in men and second cause of cancer related death after lung cancer. Prostate biopsy is the commonest procedure done by urologists and it is not without complications. We looked at the pattern of complications in our environment.Objective: To assess the incidence of complications and associated risk factors amongst our prostate biopsy patients.Methodology: A prospective study of the complications of prostate biopsy in 2 centers in Anambra South-Eastern NigeriaResult: A total of 208 patients qualified for the study. The commonest complication was haematuria which occurred in 22(10.6%) of the patients. No patient had haematospermia and no death was recorded. Other complications recorded were rectal bleeding (2.4%), Acute Urinary Retention (5%), fever (3.8%) and pain (4.3%). Other recorded complications were syncopal attack and caudal parasthaesia in one patient each.Conclusion: Prostate biopsy though considered safe, has attendant complications. This calls for caution in doing the procedure.Keywords: Transrectal biopsy, Haematuria, Rectal bleeding, Saddle paraesthesi