Randomization and Masking
After prebiopsy rectal swab collection, patients were randomly assigned to receive either empirical prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin (control group [CG]) or culture-based antibiotic prophylaxis (intervention group [IG]). Randomization was performed by the coordinating investigator using a web-based program (CastorEDC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) with 1:1 allocation ratio and randomly selected block sizes of 4, 6, and 8 stratified for hospital and PB technique. The coordinating investigator was aware of the culture results, treatment allocation, and prophylaxis schedule on the patient level. Healthcare providers were aware of the latter 2. The antibiotic prophylaxis regimen was not blinded for patients. Outcomes were blinded until final analysis.