ROLE OF POVIDONE-IODINE-SOAKED GAUZE IN PREVENTING INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING TRANS RECTAL DIGITAL GUIDED PROSTATE BIOPSY.

Objective: To identify the role of povidone iodine-soaked gauze following transrectal digital guided prostate biopsy in the prevention of infectious complications. Methodology: This prospective comparative study was conducted in the urology department of Lady Reading Hospital including 201 patients. Patients who had indications for prostate biopsy, including an elevated prostate- specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal prostatic nodule on digital rectal findings were included. Patients were distributed into two groups by the closed envelop method. Group, I (n=101) received a povidone-iodine-soaked gauze intrarectally along with xylocaine lubricant for 5 minutes just before biopsy, while group 2 (n=100) did not receive povidone-soaked gauze. The transrectal digital guided prostate biopsy guided method was used in this study. The rectal swab was taken before using povidone-soaked gauze and after doing biopsy in both groups The bacterial colonies were counted in swabs before using povidone-soaked gauze and after biopsy using biopsy Mueller-Hinton agar medium. Results: The mean age of group 1 was 64 years (range, 39--80) and group 2 was 61.7 years (range, 35--82). The average PSA values were 7.3 ng/ml and 8.34 ng/ml in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The rate of infectious complications in group1 was 0.9% (n=1) whereas in group 2 was 10% (n=10). A single-use of povidone-soaked rectal gauze significantly lowered the risk of infectious complications P<0.05. There was a 99.9% decrease in the mean number of colony-forming units after rectal preparation. Conclusion: Findings concluded that using povidone iodine-soaked gauze before doing digital guided prostate biopsy is a significant method to minimize complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]