Aims: The aim of this study is to compare between transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided aspiration and transurethral (TU) deroofing in the treatment of prostatic abscess regarding safety and efficacy.
Settings and design: This prospective randomized study was done during the period between April 2009 and March 2015 and included 32 patients with prostatic abscess.
Subjects and methods: All patients were enrolled in the study after obtaining a written informed consent and approval of the local ethical committee. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups; Group A treated by TRUS-guided aspiration, saline wash, and local injection of antibiotics and Group B treated by TU deroofing of the abscess. All patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics during the period of treatment, and the follow-up was done on the 5th day by TRUS to ensure complete resolution of the abscess.
Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was done using online social science statistical calculators http://www.socscistatistics.com/Default.aspx using t-test for two independent means, Chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U-test with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age was 59 ± 11.46 and 60 ± 13.65 years for Groups A and B, respectively. Diabetes mellitus was detected in 9 (56.25%) and 6 (37.5%) patients in Groups A and B, respectively, hypertension in 7 (43.75%) and 6 (37.5%) patients in Groups A and B, respectively, and two patients (12.5%) with liver cirrhosis in each group. The mean size of the abscess was 3.36 ± 0.86 and 3.04 ± 0.86 cm in Groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.29). The abscess recurred in five patients (31.25%) and one patient (6.25%) in Groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.08). TRUS-guided aspiration was done for all recurrent cases except for two patients (12.5%) in Group A required trans urethral deroofing of the recurrent abscess. The mean hospital stay was 12.9 ± 4.05 and 7.25 ± 2.40 days for Groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.000). In Group A, one patient (6.25%) was complicated by urethrorectal fistula, whereas in Group B, one patient (6.25%) was complicated by septic shock, three patients (13.75%) with epididymo-orchitis and two patients (12.5%) with urethral stricture.
Conclusion: Patients with prostatic abscess treated with TRUS-guided aspiration show less morbidity, higher recurrence rate, and longer hospital stay than those treated with TU deroofing.
Keywords: Abscess; prostate; transrectal ultrasound; transurethral deroofing.