Antibiotics Regimen Beneficial for Prostate Biopsy

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas analyzed the effect of implementing an augmented antibiotic prophylaxis regimen in decreasing the rate of post-biopsy infections.

The standard prophylactic regimen was used until December of 2010. Fluoroquinolone-resistant organisms were found in 73% or these patients, Mehrad Adibi, MD, and colleagues reported in The Journal of Urology (2013;189:535-540). Beginning January 2011, each patient received the standard regimen plus an additional intramuscular injection of gentamicin prior to the biopsy. The post-biopsy infection rate was reduced from 3.8% to 0.6%.

Considering the potential devastating clinical consequences and the tremendous cost of admission of life-threatening sepsis, the use of gentamicin for PNBx appears not only indicated, but cost-effective (saving $15,000 per 100 patients).

From the March 01, 2013 Issue of Renal and Urology News