ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS FOR TRANSRECTAL NEEDLE BIOPSY OF THE PROSTATE

Objectives: Transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate is essential for the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma, but there is no unanimity of opinion on the antibiotic prophylaxis for that procedure. This study was designed to explore appropriate prophylactic antimicrobial regimens. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing prostate biopsy were assessed for any overt febrile infection. In the first 30 cases constituting Group 1, ceftibuten (CETB) was administered orally at 200 mg b.i.d. for 3 days, beginning on the day of biopsy, which was also the day of admission (2-3 hours before biopsy). As no serious adverse events were seen among those patients, CETB was administered at 200 mg b.i.d. orally for only one day, the day of admission, in the latter 30 cases (Group 2), and the clinical responses of the groups were compared. Results: None developed a fever post-biopsy in Group 1, while there were 2 patients (6.7%) who developed a fever at >38° C in Group 2. There was no statistically significant intergroup difference in incidence of fever. Conclusions: The prophylactic antibiotic regimens administered in Groups 1 and 2 were considered to be comparable in efficacy