This systematic review and meta-analysis looked at 8,497 patients who were scheduled for a prostate biopsy. The researchers compared two methods: the local anaesthetic transperineal biopsy and the standard transrectal ultrasonography biopsy. They wanted to know which approach was safer and better at finding cancer.
The results showed that the transperineal method led to significantly lower rates of infection and sepsis. The risk of urinary retention was similar for both methods. In terms of finding cancer, the transperineal approach detected more overall cancer cases and more clinically significant cancers than the standard method.
While the study found clear benefits for safety and detection, readers should note that this is a meta-analysis combining data from multiple studies. The findings suggest the new method is a strong option for patients, but doctors will continue to weigh individual risks and benefits before choosing a procedure.