25511354
OBJECTIVE	Prostate cancer is a major public health issue .
OBJECTIVE	Its incidence is rising , especially in Nigeria .
OBJECTIVE	Prompt diagnosis is necessary by histology .
OBJECTIVE	Transperineal and transrectal approaches to prostate biopsy are well-documented .
OBJECTIVE	Both methods are fraught with complications though , most times minor .
OBJECTIVE	Studies carried out to compare both methods were carried out mainly on Caucasians , generating conflicting results .
OBJECTIVE	This study aims to compare the complication rates and tissue yield of these two methods in Nigerian men .
METHODS	Seventy-five patients completed the study .
METHODS	Forty-five patients had transperineal prostate biopsy ( TPbx ) , while 30 patients had transrectal prostate biopsy .
METHODS	Pain perception for all patients was determined by visual analog scale ; whereas the complications were ascertained by a validated purpose designed questionnaire administered on the 7 th and 30 th day post operatively .
RESULTS	The risk of rectal bleeding was higher for transrectal prostate biopsy compared to transperineal ( Odds ratio : 0.03 ; 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 0.001-0 .450 ; P = 0.012 ) .
RESULTS	TPbx was more painful than transrectal ( P < 0.0001 ; df : 75 ; t : 4.98 ; 95 % CI of difference in mean : -2.98 - [ -1.28 ] ) .
RESULTS	There was no statistical difference between transperineal and transrectal prostate biopsy in hemospermia , fever , prostatic abscess , urethral bleeding , acute retention and tissue yield .
CONCLUSIONS	TPbx is more painful than transrectal prostate biopsy though with a significantly reduced risk of rectal bleeding .
CONCLUSIONS	There appears to be no significant difference with respect to risk of fever , urethral bleeding , hematospermia , prostatic abscess and acute retention .
CONCLUSIONS	Both routes provided sufficient prostate tissue for histology .

