Preparing for a prostate biopsy examination

Preparation for a prostate biopsy is designed to ensure the accuracy of the analysis and eliminate possible complications during the collection of material and during the recovery period. The doctor will explain the full regulations of restrictions when prescribing the procedure. The preparatory period begins a week before the procedure.

Need for preparation

Preparing for a prostate biopsy in men requires a careful approach and strict adherence to rules. Its violation can lead to unreliable results, difficulties during the procedure itself, as well as various health consequences after it.

Conventionally, preparation before a prostate biopsy includes the following areas:

1. Detailed consultation with a doctor, appointment of examinations.
2. Compliance with dietary nutrition.
3. Take medications necessary for the procedure and stop using those that can cause complications during the procedure.

Consultation with a doctor and examination

When prescribing a biopsy, the doctor will conduct a detailed consultation about the need, method, and possible consequences. In turn, the patient should learn all the details and nuances in as much detail as possible, this will help maintain calm in the preparatory period and during the procedure. At the end of the conversation, the doctor will provide documents to sign for it.

The consultation also includes a detailed patient history. It is necessary to provide your doctor with as much detailed information as possible about the following:

• concomitant diseases;
• medications taken;
• allergies to medications, disinfectants or latex;
• problems with blood clotting;
• presence of implants in the body;
• reactions to anesthesia;
• if the biopsy is not performed for the first time, inform about the previous procedure.

In addition to consultation, preparation for prostate puncture includes the following examinations:

1. General blood and urine analysis.
2. Blood test for group and Rh factor.
3. Blood coagulation test (clotting).
4. PSA blood test.
5. Urine culture.
6. Blood test for syphilis, viral hepatitis B and C and HIV test.

Preparation for the study differs depending on the method of collecting material:

1. The transperineal method under local anesthesia does not require any special preparatory measures.
2. To prepare for a prostate biopsy through the rectum, you need to give a cleansing enema before the procedure.
3. In preparation for the procedure under general anesthesia, it is required to refuse food 8 hours and liquids 2 hours before the start of the examination.

When performing a biopsy, there are no restrictions on sexual activity and physical activity, but, in addition to the general rules, some advice can be given by the doctor on an individual basis.

Diet

The diet before prostate biopsy is prescribed a week before the procedure and is based on the following principles:

• refusal of fatty, salty and spicy foods, preference should be given to vegetables, low-calorie meat and fish, vegetarian soups, liquid porridges, steamed dishes;
• Legumes, dairy products, brown bread and baked goods are also excluded from the diet. It is undesirable to eat potatoes, nuts, pasta, seasonings and sweets;
• inadmissibility of drinking alcohol, abstaining from coffee and carbonated drinks. Preference should be given to weak black or green tea;
• Preparation for a biopsy under general anesthesia requires not eating any food at least 8 hours before taking the material for analysis.

Taking medications

All medications taken should be discussed with your doctor. Some of them are acceptable during the preparatory period, while others will need to be stopped or replaced with analogues.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents

Often, puncture is indicated for patients with problems of the cardiovascular system who are taking anticoagulants (thin the blood) and antiplatelet agents (prevent the adhesion of blood cells). Studies show that regular use of small doses of drugs from these groups cannot have a negative effect when taking prostate samples, but it is recommended to stop taking them at least 3 days before the procedure. However, the break is not taken independently, but only after consultation with the attending physician. Most often, drugs are replaced with similar, but fractionated ones - Fragmin, Fraxiparine, Clexane, Clivarin.

In addition, the following drugs and dietary supplements can provoke bleeding during a biopsy:

• omega-3-PUFA;
• bromelain;
• chamomile, dandelion, parsley, garlic, onion, ginger, burdock, ginseng;

Anti-inflammatory

Stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs at least 7 days before the examination, because most of them act like Aspirin, thinning the blood. You can resume the course only after your doctor’s approval.

Antibiotics

A biopsy can cause infection, so antibacterial drugs are prescribed for preventive purposes both before and after it. The most commonly used:

1. Ciprofloxacin.
2. Ampicillin.
3. Gentamicin.