Simple, accurate, safe, and cost-effective percutaneous transperineal template technique for permanent 125iodine interstitial brachytherapy of prostate cancer.

Abstract We present the technique, intraoperative and postoperative complications of percutaneous transperineal template permanent 125iodine interstitial brachytherapy of prostate cancer. The percutaneous transperineal template permanent iodine interstitial brachytherapy under "C-arm" fluoroscopic guidance is a simple, easily-learned, accurate and rapid procedure which can be performed without subjecting the patient to celiotomy. We have treated 58 patients by the transperineal percutaneous permanent interstitial brachytherapy. 33 of 58 patients also had a staging celiotomy just prior to the brachytherapy. In the group of 22 patients undergoing brachytherapy without celiotomy and without adjuvant external-beam pelvic radiotherapy, there were no major complications. Blood transfusions were not required by any patients who underwent percutaneous transperineal permanent iodine interstitial brachytherapy without celiotomy.