Intravenous Ketorolac Significantly Reduces the Pain of Office Transrectal Ultrasound and Prostate Biopsies

Introduction: Campbell's' Urology, 8th edition, indicates that office transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and prostate biopsies require no anesthesia. This is however in contradistinction from the experience of patients who have had the procedure. A study was conducted to evaluate whether 60 mg of intravenous Ketorolac before the procedure makes it more tolerable.

Material And Methods: A prospective study was performed involving 24 patients who were randomized into two groups. One group was given 60 mg of Ketorolac intravenously before the procedure and the control group received no analgesia.

Results: The two groups were comparable in age and the indications for the TRUS and prostate biopsies. The number of biopsy cores tolerated and taken was significantly less in the control group than in the group that was given intravenous Ketorolac. The degree of pain in the group that had intravenous Ketorolac was significantly less than in the no analgesia group.

Conclusion: TRUS with prostate biopsies is a painful procedure. Intravenous Ketorolac significantly reduces the pain involved in the procedure and allows patients to tolerate it better for a more complete procedure.