![\"ahead](\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/urology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/637\/2023\/03\/Ahead-of-the-curve.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Urologists at UNC are at the forefront of performing a highly effective procedure called \u201ctransperineal biopsies\u201d of the prostate, in which the biopsy needle enters through the patient\u2019s perineum instead of the rectum. At UNC, traditional transrectal biopsies have a very low risk of serious infection. <\/p>\n
The transperineal biopsy approach may further reduce the potential for bacteria being unintentionally transferred to the prostate and causing an infection, and it does not require preparatory use of an enema or antibiotics. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe newer approach of using transperineal biopsies require less advanced prep for the patient, has lower risk of infections and bleeding, and allow us to better and more efficiently sample the prostate, especially historically less accessible areas such as the anterior prostate,\u201d says Marc Bjurlin, DO<\/a>, Associate Professor of Urology at UNC.<\/p>\n Dr. Bjurlin spearheaded the effort to bring the procedure to UNC, where its use is steadily increasing. While the procedure has been more commonly practiced in Europe, it has been more recently adopted for use in the U.S. by some leading academic medical centers. <\/p>\n \u201cIn some cases it can make it easier to detect cancer in some areas of the prostate, and it allows us to make only two entry locations, vs. multiple needed for other procedures. This is a distinct benefit for patients,\u201d says Dr. Bjurlin. <\/p>\nOffering the Latest Techniques to Patients<\/h2>\n