The exam is carried out under local or general anaesthesia, guided with ultrasound. The patient is asked to either lie on their side or on their back or to kneel. Before the procedure, the doctor injects anaesthetics through the rectum. A fine needle is inserted through the rectum to the prostate gland. The accurate position of the needle and spots for the biopsy are controlled using transrectal ultrasound. A spring-loaded slender needle is usually used for the prostate biopsy. The needle quickly enters the prostate and takes tissue samples. The procedure takes 30 minutes.