Routine Ertapenem Prophylaxis for Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy does Not Select for Carbapenem Resistant Organisms: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Sepsis after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy is an increasing problem in this era of rising antibiotic resistance. Although ertapenem prophylaxis has proved effective at our institution to reduce this, it has raised local and regional antimicrobial stewardship concerns. We investigated the possible selective effect of single dose ertapenem prophylaxis on fecal colonization with carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients underwent a rectal swab prior to receiving prebiopsy ertapenem prophylaxis. A second swab was obtained at followup 4 to 6 weeks later. Swabs were screened for carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae using an enhanced CDC (Centers for Disease Control) method. Prebiopsy swabs were also screened for extended spectrum ß-lactamase producing and ciprofloxacin resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Patients were monitored for post-biopsy sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 326 patients were enrolled in the study. At baseline 6.4% and 9.0% of patients had colonization with extended spectrum ß-lactamase producing and ciprofloxacin resistant Enterobacteriaceae, respectively. Carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae were not detected at baseline or followup in any patients. Colonization with nonfermentative organisms with intrinsic ertapenem resistance was detected in 29.4% of patients at baseline and followup (p = 1.0). Three cases (0.9%, 95% CI 0.2-2.8) of probable post-biopsy sepsis were identified during the study period. None was bacteremic or required intensive care unit admission. CONCLUSIONS: Single dose ertapenem prophylaxis did not appear to have a significant selective effect on fecal colonization with carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae or other ertapenem resistant gram-negative organisms in this outpatient group. It is highly effective prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. In the right setting ertapenem may represent a useful prophylactic option to prevent post-transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy sepsis.

Salvage prostatectomy post-definitive radiation therapy: The Vancouver experience.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer recurrence following primary radiation is common. If the recurrence remains localized to the prostate gland, surgical removal may result in long-term local control or cure. Despite the well-established oncological outcomes, salvage prostatectomy is infrequently performed or reported. We present our experience with salvage prostatectomy at a Canadian centre. METHODS: We identified all patients undergoing salvage prostatectomy at the Vancouver General Hospital between 1995 and 2010 from a prospectively recorded and maintained prostate cancer database. Details regarding initial presentation, delivery of radiotherapy, clinical features at the time of recurrence, as well as oncological and functional outcomes, were collected. Information regarding postoperative morbidity was collected prospectively and confirmed by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Over a 15-year period, salvage prostatectomy was successfully completed in 21 patients. With a median follow-up period of 68 months (range: 2-122), 9 (43%) patients experienced a biochemical recurrence, with most failing within the first 2 years of surgery. There were 3 deaths in the cohort, all from prostate cancer, giving a prostate cancer specific and overall survival of 86%. The main postoperative morbidity was bladder neck contracture, occurring in 40%. One patient each developed a recto-urethral fistula and osteitis pubis. Physician-recorded data regarding continence was available in 13 (62%). Of these 13 patients, 10 (85%) men were recorded as dry or using 1 pad per day. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first Canadian centre to report that salvage prostatectomy can be performed with favourable oncological and functional outcomes.