# Outpatient Local Anaesthetic Transperineal Prostate Biopsy: A Four-Year Patient-Experience Audit (January 2021–January 2025)

## TL;DR

This study evaluates patient experiences with outpatient local anesthetic prostate biopsies over four years, finding mostly positive feedback and low pain reports.

## Contribution

The study provides a longitudinal audit of patient-reported experience in outpatient transperineal prostate biopsies under local anaesthesia.

## Key findings

- 56.9% of patients reported an overall positive experience with the biopsy procedure.
- Significant pain was reported by only 3.0% of patients across four years.
- Communication clarity and waiting time were identified as areas needing improvement.

## Abstract

Background: Transperineal prostate biopsy performed under local anaesthesia in the outpatient setting is increasingly being adopted. Patient-reported experience is central to service quality but is less frequently described than diagnostic or safety outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to audit four years of patient-reported experience after outpatient local anaesthetic transperineal biopsy (LATP) in routine clinical practice.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective audit of consecutive patient feedback forms completed after LATP between January 2021 and January 2025 at a single centre. A five-item questionnaire captured overall positive experience, staff courtesy, clarity of communication, mention of significant pain during/immediately after biopsy, and free-text suggestions.

Results: A total of 471 feedback forms were analysed. Of these, overall positive experience was recorded in 268 (56.9%), staff courtesy in 227 (48.2%), and clear communication in 86 (18.3%). Mentions of significant pain occurred in 14 (3.0%). Waiting-time concerns were recorded in six (1.3%), dignity concerns in four (0.8%), and suggestions for improvement in 27 (5.7%). Year-specific counts of “significant pain” were 0/109 (0.0%) in 2021, 6/104 (5.8%) in 2022, 6/130 (4.6%) in 2023, 1/90 (1.1%) in 2024, and 1/38 (2.6%) in January 2025.

Conclusions: Across four years, clinic-based LATP yielded high proportions of positive experience indicators and a low frequency of patient-mentioned significant pain. Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of clinic-based LATP, with opportunities to further improve communication and flow.