After you have been reviewed by the anaesthetist you will be taken into the endoscopy theatre. A drip will be placed in your arm and you will be given an anaesthetic. Dr Swindle will insert the ultrasound probe and a series of images and measurements will be taken and the volume of the prostate calculated.

A fine biopsy needle is then loaded through the ultrasound probe to take multiple specimens of prostate tissue. Usually 12 biopsies are taken and the specimens will be sent to a pathologist for assessment. In special circumstances more will be taken. You will be asleep during the procedure and will feel no discomfort.

Following the procedure you will be taken back to recovery where you will still be in your bed and the nursing staff monitors very closely your pulse, blood pressure and breathing. You will be monitored here for approximately 20 minutes. When the nursing staff are happy with your recovery you will be dressed and then placed in the lounge area for a further hour or so where you will be offered some refreshments. When the staff are happy with your recovery, you will be allowed to leave.

You will need to be accompanied to and from the procedure as you will not be able to drive after the anaesthetic and you should not be alone the night of the procedure. You should avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours and should not work the following day. You should not make any major decisions or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after the procedure. This is not because of the procedure itself but as a result of undergoing an anaesthetic.

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