TRANSPERINEAL FUSION VECTOR BIOPSY
Prostate fusion biopsy can be carried out using two main techniques: transrectal and transperineal. In the transrectal approach, access to the prostate gland is gained by passing through the rectum. Conversely, the transperineal approach involves reaching the prostate via the perineal area—the region between the anal canal and the testicles—without coming into contact with the rectal wall.
The most significant risk associated with prostate biopsy is infection, particularly sepsis, which occurs when bacteria from the rectum enter the bloodstream. Since the transperineal method avoids the rectum entirely, it is associated with a lower risk of infection compared to the transrectal technique.
In line with this, the European Urology Guidelines have, for the past three years, recommended the transperineal method as the preferred approach for prostate biopsy.
A recent advancement in the transperineal prostate fusion biopsy is the introduction of the vector method. Unlike traditional transperineal techniques that may require 12 to 24 separate needle punctures in the perineal region, the vector method uses just two small entry points. Through these, the needle can be inserted multiple times to collect samples, significantly minimizing trauma.
Thanks to this minimally invasive technique, patients typically experience little to no pain after the procedure. Moreover, this method offers a clear advantage in cases where a transperineal biopsy must be performed under local anesthesia—either due to patient preference or medical necessity—as it is far less painful than other transperineal techniques, such as the grid method, which requires multiple needle insertions.
Additionally, the vector method allows the needle to move with millimetric precision in all directions, enhancing the ability to accurately target and sample specific areas within the prostate gland.