To investigate the effectiveness of disposable transrectal ultrasound needle guide in the prevention of possible infectious complications after transrectal prostate biopsy.

One hundred ninety-eight patients who underwent transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups; in group 1 (110 patients), prostate biopsies were taken with reusable needle guide. In group 2 (88 patients), biopsy was performed by using a disposable transrectal needle guide. Patients received 500 mg ciprofloxacin orally twice daily beginning the day before biopsy and continued for 1 week. Infectious complications were recorded as asymptomatic bacteriuria, acute urinary infection, high fever, and bacteremia.

The mean age of the patients was 63.9 years. The mean age of the patients were 65.1 and 64.4 years in group 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.428). There were no significant differences between the regarding serum total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, total prostate volume, and transitional prostat volume (P_{total PSA} = 0.822, P_{free PSA} = 0.510, P_{prostate volume} = 0.323, P_{transitional zone volume of the prostate} = 0.376). Although asymptomatic bacteriuria was found in a total of 14 (7.1%) patients, acute urinary tract infection was diagnosed in 11 (5.5%) patients and high fever was observed in 16 (8.1%) patients. Blood cultures did not show bacteremia in either of the groups. Infectious complication rates were significantly lower in group 2 than the other group (P <0.001).

The use of a disposable needle guide helps minimize infection risk after transrectal prostate needle biopsy. The novel disposable needle guide seems to be the alternative to a reusable needle guide.