The Long Core Needle with an End-Cut Technique for Prostate Biopsy: Does It Really Have Advantages When Compared with Standard Needles?

Objective: To evaluate the failure rate, core length and fragmentation rate for each different stroke length of the end-cut (BioPince) needle in order to show the performance of the needle for different stroke lengths and compare these with the standard side-notch needle. Methods: TRUS guided biopsy of the prostate was performed on 86 consecutive men between June 2002 and May 2003. The patients were randomized into two groups with 43 men in each group. Patients in group A underwent 8 core biopsy with the end-cut needle in different stroke lengths; 13, 23 and 33 mm respectively. Patients in group B underwent 8 core biopsy with the side-notch needle. The cores have been evaluated and compared for failure rates, core lengths, number of core lengths under 5 mm and fragmentation rates. Results: When the end-cut needle was used, a significant number of failure rates was noted; with an overall failure rate of 16%. The failure rates were 26% for 13 mm stroke length, 18% for 23 mm stroke length and 10% for 33 mm stroke length respectively. These failure rates showed statistically significant difference from standard needle for overall and for every separate stroke length ( p