Editorial Comment to Combination of lidocaine suppository and periprostatic nerve block during transrectal prostate biopsy: A prospective randomized trial
Objective
To assess the most effective local analgesia during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.MethodsA total of 123 consecutive patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy for elevated prostate-specific antigen levels and/or a suspicious digital rectal examination were randomized to three groups. Patients received a 60-mg lidocaine suppository (group 1, n = 41), a periprostatic nerve block (10-mL injection of lidocaine hydrochloride; group 2, n = 41) or a combination of both (group 3, n = 41) before a 10-core transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy. A total of 80.5% (n = 99) of the patients underwent their first biopsy, 27.1% (n = 22) their second and 2.4% (n = 2) the third. Pain was evaluated on a 10-point visual analog scale for each step of the procedure.ResultsProstate-specific antigen values ranged from 0.39 to 90.1 (mean [SD] 8.76 ng/mL [11.08 ng/mL]). Comparison of the median visual analog scale scores between groups 1 and 2 showed a significant difference (P = 0.004). The differences in the outcomes between groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.001), and groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.001) were also significant. Patients of group 3 had the best output corresponding to the pain sensations and therefore the lowest visual analog scale scores.Conclusion
The combination of lidocaine suppository and periprostatic lidocaine infiltration is more effective for pain control than either lidocaine suppository or periprostatic lidocaine infiltration alone in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.
Objective
To assess the most effective local analgesia during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.MethodsA total of 123 consecutive patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy for elevated prostate-specific antigen levels and/or a suspicious digital rectal examination were randomized to three groups. Patients received a 60-mg lidocaine suppository (group 1, n = 41), a periprostatic nerve block (10-mL injection of lidocaine hydrochloride; group 2, n = 41) or a combination of both (group 3, n = 41) before a 10-core transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy. A total of 80.5% (n = 99) of the patients underwent their first biopsy, 27.1% (n = 22) their second and 2.4% (n = 2) the third. Pain was evaluated on a 10-point visual analog scale for each step of the procedure.ResultsProstate-specific antigen values ranged from 0.39 to 90.1 (mean [SD] 8.76 ng/mL [11.08 ng/mL]). Comparison of the median visual analog scale scores between groups 1 and 2 showed a significant difference (P = 0.004). The differences in the outcomes between groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.001), and groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.001) were also significant. Patients of group 3 had the best output corresponding to the pain sensations and therefore the lowest visual analog scale scores.Conclusion
The combination of lidocaine suppository and periprostatic lidocaine infiltration is more effective for pain control than either lidocaine suppository or periprostatic lidocaine infiltration alone in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.
To our knowledge the optimal analgesia during prostate biopsy remains undetermined. We tested the efficacy and safety of combined perianal-intrarectal lidocaine-prilocaine cream and periprostatic nerve block during transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.
A total of 280 patients were randomized to receive combined perianal-intrarectal lidocaine-prilocaine cream and periprostatic nerve block (group 1), perianal-intrarectal lidocaine-prilocaine cream alone (group 2), periprostatic nerve block alone (group 3) or no anesthesia (group 4) before transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. Pain was evaluated with a 10-point visual analog scale at subsequent procedural steps, including perianal-intrarectal substance administration, prostate transrectal ultrasound, periprostatic nerve block and sampling. Complications were assessed by self-administered questionnaire and telephone interview.
The groups were comparable in patient age, prostate volume, pathology results and visual analog scale perianal-intrarectal substance administration. Visual analog scale results for transrectal ultrasound were lower in groups 1 and 2 vs 3 and 4 (mean 1.5 and 1.41 vs 5.37 and 5.31, p <0.001) and results for periprostatic nerve block were lower in group 1 vs 3 (mean 1.03 vs 3.74, p <0.001). Results for sampling were lower in groups 1 to 3 vs 4 (mean 0.77, 1.27 and 1.27 vs 4.33, p <0.001) and in group 1 vs 2 and 3 (p <0.001). Stratified analysis showed that visual analog scale sampling was lower in group 1 vs 2 and 3 in patients 65 years old or younger, those with a prostate greater than 49 cc and those with lower anorectal compliance (visual analog scale results for perianal-intrarectal substance administration greater than 2) (p = 0.006, <0.001 and 0.003, respectively). The overall complication rate was similar in all 4 groups (p = 0.87).
Our findings suggest that the combination of perianal-intrarectal lidocaine-prilocaine cream and periprostatic nerve block provides better pain control than the 2 modalities alone during the sampling part of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy with no increase in the complication rate. The magnitude of this effect is higher in younger men, men with a larger prostate and men with lower anorectal compliance.
To compare the efficacy of periprostatic nerve block (PNB) alone vs PNB combined with the local administration of a 1.5% lidocaine/0.3% nifedipine cream (Antrolin, Bracco, Milan, Italy).
In a prospective, randomized, double-arm study, 200 patients were randomized to receive PNB alone (group A, 100) or PNB combined with a previous administration of the topical anaesthetic Antrolin (group B, 100). The PNB was applied by infiltrating bilaterally a solution of 5 mL lidocaine 1% and naropine 0.75%. Patients were asked to complete visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire (0-10) to score pain and discomfort during probe insertion (VAS1), PNB (VAS2), cores (VAS3), 30 min after biopsy (VAS4), the evening of the procedure (VAS5), and the day after biopsy (VAS6).
Pain during probe insertion in group B was significantly less than in group A (VAS1 0.82 vs 2.9; P < 0.001). Pain during periprostatic infiltration was also lower in group B than group A (VAS2 1.4 vs 3.48; P < 0.001). Pain control was similar during biopsy in the two groups (VAS3 1.28 vs 1.2; P = 0.69). The pain scored at VAS4 was significantly less in group B (0.7 vs 1.86, P < 0.001), as was VAS5 (0.68 vs 1.3, P < 0.001). There was no difference in pain perception the day after biopsy (VAS6, 0.32 vs 0.22, P = 0.14).
Antrolin placed with PNB is better than PNB alone in reducing pain and discomfort during transrectal-ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy.
To evaluate, in a randomized prospective study, the efficiency of transrectal lidocaine suppositories to reduce pain during transrectal prostate biopsy, as suppositories allow longer for the agent to be effective.
In all, 100 patients were randomized to receive either a placebo suppository or 10 mL of 2% (200 mg) lidocaine gel rectally 10 min before biopsy, or a suppository containing 60 mg lidocaine 1 or 2 h before biopsy. Costs (in euros) per application were 0.82 for gel and 0.63 for suppositories. In all patients the same 10-core biopsy technique was used. Pain was evaluated using a visual linear pain scale ranging from 0 to 100 points; the patient's side of the scale did not show the number of points.
The mean pain scores in the placebo, lidocaine gel, and lidocaine suppositories applied 1 h and 2 h before biopsy were 36.2, 40.9, 29.2 and 21.2, respectively. Thus patients with no anaesthesia reported 25% more pain than those receiving lidocaine suppositories 1 h before and 71% more pain than those receiving lidocaine suppositories 2 h before biopsy (P = 0.002).
Lidocaine suppositories at a lower dose and with longer to take effect can be used to reduce pain significantly more effectively than the commonly used gel. As suppositories are easy to use and cheap, they are recommended in daily routine prostate biopsy.
To compare pain control results between periprostatic nerve block alone and combined with topical prilocaine-lidocaine cream as local anesthesia of prostate biopsy.
Three hundred patients were randomized to receive PNB (group 1), topical anesthesia of the anal ring, anal canal, and anterior rectal wall combined with PNB (group 2) and placebo (group 3). Patients were asked to use scale of 0-10 to complete a visual analogue scale questionnaire about pain during probe insertion (VAS1), periprostatic infiltration (VAS2), and cores (VAS3).
Pain during probe insertion in group 2 was significantly less than in groups 1 and 3 (VAS1, 0.29 vs. 1.46 and 1.48; p<0.0001). Pain during periprostatic infiltration was also reduced in group 2 compared with group 1 (VAS2, 1.06 vs. 2.39; p<0.0001). Pain control was similar during biopsy in the PNB and combined groups (VAS3, 0.43 vs. 0.37; p=0.77) and was superior to group 3 (VAS3, 3.02; p<0.0001). In younger patients (cut off, median age 67 yr) these differences were still significant between groups 1 and 2 (VAS1, 1.95 vs.0.31; p<0.0001 and VAS2, 2.97 vs. 1,15; p<0.0001), but not in older patients (VAS1, 0.91 vs. 0.28; p=0.06; VAS2, 1.52 vs. 0,92; p=0.06). Vagal symptoms were registered in 36 (12%) patients in all groups. Sepsis occurred in one group 1 patient and in one group 2 patient. Rectal bleeding was observed in one group 2 patient.
Combined prilocaine-lidocaine cream topically placed with PNB is superior to PNB alone and may be of maximum benefit for younger patients.
Combination of lidocaine suppository and periprostatic nerve block during transrectal prostate biopsy: a prospective randomized trial