Periprostatic lidocaine infiltration and/or synthetic opioid (meperidine or tramadol) administration have no analgesic benefit during prostate biopsy. A prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study comparing different methods.

Objectives: To examine in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study the analgesic effect of periprostatic nerve block and/or intravenous synthetic opioid administration during a 12-core prostate biopsy.
Patients and Methods: Patients were prospectively randomized to receive unilateral periprostatic lidocaine administration and/or intravenous synthetic opioid (meperidine or tramadol) administration. Placebo groups received sterile normal saline. Unilateral infiltration was performed and biopsy was begun on this side. The degree of pain was recorded using the visual analog scale/numeric analog scale (VAS/NAS) score before the procedure, during probe introduction into the rectum, during unilateral periprostatic nerve blockade, during the first 6-core biopsy and during the second 6-core biopsy, and 30 min after biopsy completion.
Results: Most of the patients had mild or moderate pain (VAS/NAS <6) during the actual biopsy procedure. However, no significant differences existed between the groups with regard to the pain scores at any time (p > 0.05). Compared with pain scores, no significant differences existed between the first 6-core (blocked side) and second 6-core biopsies (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Periprostatic lidocaine infiltration and/or intravenous synthetic opioid analgesics are not beneficial in significantly reducing pain during biopsy. We think that most of the patients do have pain during biopsy, however the intensity of pain is tolerable and does not require analgesics.
(Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel)