title: Prostate biopsy outcome using 29 mm cutting length.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare the prostate biopsy outcome by using either standard or extended cutting length of the needles.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 74 consecutive prostates from radical prostatectomy were used. Two sextant biopsies were performed ex vivo. We developed a precise simulation of a transrectal biopsy procedure using ultrasound for guiding the needle. In the first set of biopsies an 18-gauge tru cut needle with 19 mm cutting length, powered by a automatic biopsy gun was used. In the second set a single use gun with an 18-gauge end-cutting needle and 29 mm cutting length was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the set of sextant biopsies using 19 mm cutting length 49 (66%) carcinomas were found. In the set of sextant biopsies using 29 mm cutting length 58 (78%) of the tumors were detected. 24 (32%) prostates showed tumor in the transition zones, but there was no transition-zone-only cancer in this study. Nevertheless taking longer cores led to an improvement in prostate cancer detection of 18%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this ex vivo setting the use of 29 mm cutting length for prostate biopsy led to an significant improvement in cancer detection. As we found the end-cutting needle not suitable for use in the patient, these results support the idea to develop a longer tru cut needle and corresponding gun for further clinical investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, St. Johannsspital, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg, Austria. k.g.fink@salk.at
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hutarew
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pytel
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Schmeller
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019160:Endosonography; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum; D015203:Reproducibility of Results