No evidence of fluid absorption during continuous low-pressure transurethral resection of the prostate: assessment by measuring expiratory breath ethanol concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: Measurement of the ethanol concentration in expired breath during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: TURP is a noninvasive method to estimate the amount of irrigant absorbed. The expiratory breath ethanol concentrations (EBEC) were measured with a standard alcohol breath analyzer in 35 patients in the course of TURP. All interventions were performed with a 27-french continuous flow resectoscope using a solution of 1. 5% glycine + 1% ethanol as irrigating fluid. Serum sodium and osmolality were measured pre- and postoperatively. No patient developed signs of transurethral resection syndrome; no significant changes in serum sodium, osmolality and EBEC were found throughout the operation. CONCLUSION: Absorption of irrigant fluid during TURP with continuous low-pressure irrigation seems to be extremely slight (if not absent) as measured by expired breath ethanol method.     

Does intraprostatic vasopressin prevent the transurethral resection syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intraprostatic vasopressin (IPVP) prevents the transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome during prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 36 consecutive patients (mean age 68 years) with prostates clinically assessed as >/= 20 g who underwent standard transurethral prostatectomy (TURP). Ten units of vasopressin in 0.5 mL were diluted with 9.5 mL isotonic saline and injected into the prostate transrectally before TURP. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after TURP to measure serum sodium concentration and free haemoglobin levels. The TURP irrigant used was cooled, boiled water maintained at 70-80 cmH2O pressure during resection. Twenty patients had alcohol added to the irrigant and their breath alcohol assessed at 10-min intervals during TURP. All patients had their pulse rate, blood pressure and sensorium monitored continuously. Extreme care was taken to avoid and/or identify capsular damage during resection. RESULTS: The mean weight of tissue resected was 36 g and the mean resection time 24 min. There was no significant change in clinical variables during TURP. In 19 patients the breath alcohol changes were insignificant. Changes in free haemoglobin were not significant, but the levels decreased after TURP in four patients, caused by the dilution consequent on the infusion of 800-1000 mL isotonic saline during surgery. Serum sodium concentrations showed only insignificant decreases, except in one patient whose breath alcohol suggested the absorption of 500 mL of irrigant. This patient's serum sodium concentration decreased by 9 mmol/L; 1 L of 5% dextrose was infused during the procedure and capsular damage was recognized early during TURP. CONCLUSION: Insignificant volumes of irrigant entered the circulation of the patients during TURP with water irrigation and IPVP. The greatest risk factor for fluid entry during TURP is capsular damage. IPVP decreases bleeding and therefore improves visibility, so allowing the early identification of capsular damage. IPVP seems therefore to be of help during TURP by decreasing bleeding and allowing insignificant volumes of irrigant to enter the vasoconstricted vessels; it appears to prevent the TUR syndrome.     

Hyponatraemia after transurethral resection of the prostate

Transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome is a complication of transurethral resection of the prostate characterized by bradycardia, hypotension and postoperative confusional state, which is generally attributed to hyponatraemia occurring during or immediately after operation. In a prospective study of 100 consecutive patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate, changes in serum sodium were estimated before and after operation and correlated with various parameters including weight of prostate resected, volume of irrigant fluid and resection time. Seven patients showed a significant drop (greater than 10 mmol/litre) in serum sodium: two of these had the clinical features of TUR syndrome and one of them died. The pathogenesis and management of this syndrome are discussed.     

Intravesical pressure during transurethral resection using Iglesias resectoscope with continuous irrigation and suction.

Intravesical pressure was studied in 20 patients during transurethral resection (TUR) of the prostate using the Iglesias resectoscope with continuous irrigation and suction. The suction pressure (50 cm H20) was considerably lower than that suggested by Iglesias. The amount of irrigant was thereby appreciably diminished and blocking of the outlet system was avoided. The intravesical pressure averaged 35 cm H20 during resection, which is less than in conventional resection, and 15 cm during evacuation of tissue chips. Signs of TUR syndrome were not seen. We consider the new resectoscope to be a considerable improvement for TUR.     

Hyponatraemia following transurethral resection of the prostate

In a prospective study of 100 patients undergoing transurethral resection, changes in serum sodium were estimated during the per-operative and post-operative periods. The weight of prostate resected and the volume of irrigant fluid used influenced the changes in serum sodium. In 93 patients these changes were not statistically significant. In only seven patients were significant falls in serum sodium recorded, in one case to a level of 103 mmol/l. All seven exhibited the clinical features of the transurethral syndrome and there was one post-operative death which we attributed to it. The TUR syndrome undoubtedly exists and its incidence in this series was 7%. Its pathogenesis and clinical management are discussed.     

TURP without TURP syndrome

A series of 500 patients studied retrospectively and prospectively to examine changes in the serum sodium following transurethral resection of the prostate showed no significant incidence of induced hyponatraemia. The TURP syndrome has not been encountered clinically in this department for 10 years, which correlates with the findings of this study. The possible reasons are the habitual use of the irrigating resectoscope, a policy of simplification of management for patients undergoing TURP, and operations being performed only by experienced surgeons.     

Furosemide-induced disturbances of renal function in patients undergoing TURP

Furosemide remains the drug of choice for patients with the transurethral resection syndrome. Furosemide is often used intraoperatively to treat patients suspected of having excessive irrigant absorption. To examine the efficacy of such therapy, a randomized study was performed in which furosemide was administered to patients undergoing routine transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to determine the effect of furosemide on electrolyte and fluid volume conservation in these patients. Seven patients treated with furosemide on completion of TURP had a statistically significant delayed drop in serum sodium values after normal initial values (139 mEq/L to 134 mEq/L). Seven untreated control patients did not have a similar drop in sodium values, and the difference between groups was significant. We suggest that furosemide be used with caution in patients undergoing routine TURP, and when given it should be accompanied by the infusion of an isotonic balanced salt solution.     

Video transurethral resection using controlled continuous flow resectoscope

A video camera, attached by direct-beam coupler to the controlled continuous flow (CCF) resectoscope, is used to aid in the performance of transurethral resection (TUR). A television monitor becomes the source for judgment in guiding the resectoscope loop. The surgeon stands during the TUR to watch the image from the resectoscope lens, as projected on the video monitor screen, to decide where to cut tissue and fulgurate blood vessels. Fifty cases of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) performed by the video method with the CCF resectoscope are compared with 400 TURP cases performed by the conventional method of looking through the scope using the same instrument. Resulting data from the video method were statistically similar to that obtained from the conventional method. The video method was a safe and effective means of visualizing the surgical field during TURP.     

Ethanol-glycine irrigating fluid for transurethral resection of the prostate in practice

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of a tracer of 1% ethanol in 1. 5% glycine in the early detection of irrigation fluid absorption during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (120) undergoing TURP were irrigated with 1% ethanol in 1.5% glycine solution and their expired air tested for alcohol every 10 min during the procedure. RESULTS: In all, 112 patients were assessed; over half of the patients absorbed the irrigation fluid and they had a significantly lower postoperative serum sodium concentration (P < 0.002). Fourteen patients (12.5%) absorbed over 500 mL and two (1.8%) developed clinical features of the TUR syndrome. The experience of the surgeon, the weight of resected chips and the operative duration were not significantly predictive of absorption. CONCLUSION: A tracer amount of ethanol in the irrigant is reliable for detecting absorption. Irrigating fluid absorption was unpredictable, thus supporting the case for routine monitoring.     

Hypo-osmolar intravascular volume overload during anaesthesia for transurethral prostatectomy. A report of 2 cases

Two cases are reported in which absorption of surgical irrigant into the vascular system during transurethral resection of the prostate gland (TUR) resulted in life-threatening complications due to hypo-osmolar volume overload (also known as water intoxication or the TUR syndrome). Manifestations common to both cases were haemolysis of red cells, cardiac arrhythmias, a drop in the serum sodium level, and an elevated central venous pressure. In addition, one patient developed acute pulmonary oedema and the other hypokalaemia, confusion and visual disturbances due to cerebral oedema. Water as an irrigant for TUR should be superseded by glycine 1,5%, which is safer.     

Prevention of TUR syndrome by detection of trace ethanol in the expired breath

Previous studies suggest that severe symptoms of the 'TUR syndrome' occur from transurethral prostatic resection only when the volume of irrigant absorbed exceeds 2000 ml. An ethanol-containing irrigating fluid was used in this study of 100 transurethral resections so that the irrigant absorption could be monitored by measuring ethanol in expired air. Fluid absorption was found in 41 patients, and in nine of them the volume of irrigant absorbed exceeded 1000 ml. Four of these operations were terminated promptly when the ethanol monitoring indicated rapid massive absorption that threatened to exceed 2000 ml. There were few and only mild adverse effects of the irrigant by following this regimen. It is concluded that ethanol monitoring makes it possible to prevent the TUR syndrome by selective termination of those operations in which large amounts of irrigant is absorbed.     

A comparison of the effect of 1.5% glycine and 5% glucose irrigants on plasma serum physiology and the incidence of transurethral resection syndrome during prostate resection

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in the pathophysiology and frequency of the transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome with two irrigation fluids, as variable amounts of irrigation fluid are absorbed during TUR of the prostate (TURP), and although polar solutes are required to prevent an effect on diathermy, the solutes may have effects when absorbed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 2001 and March 2003, 250 patients were included in a prospective randomized trial comparing glycine 1.5% with 5% glucose irrigation fluids. We measured blood loss, fluid absorption, temperature change, biochemistry including a glycine assay, and peri-operative symptoms. Blood samples were taken immediately before and immediately, 5 and 24 h after TURP. Irrigating fluid absorption during TURP was measured with 1% ethanol as a marker and breath ethanol measurements. Operative details were recorded, including the type of anaesthesia (with or with no sedation), resection time and weight of resected tissue. Peri-operative symptoms were documented prospectively. TUR syndrome was defined as a serum sodium level of < or = 125 mmol/L with two or more associated symptoms or signs of TUR syndrome. RESULTS: Five (2%) patients had TUR syndrome; all five were irrigated with glycine, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). Of the five men, three had hypotension, four were tired, one was nauseous, two had parasthesia, two had 'uneasiness', one had blurred vision and two were confused; none had chest pain. There was a large variation between the groups in the level of glycine assayed immediately after TURP; a high glycine level was associated with the TUR syndrome (P = 0.01). There was no difference between the groups in levels of sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, osmolality, calcium, haematocrit, albumin serum levels or peri-operative blood loss (defined as a change from before to after TURP in haemoglobin level, accounting for transfusions). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in serum glycine was associated with TUR syndrome; there were large variations in the amounts of glycine absorbed, reaching levels many times the upper limit of normal. In other studies, glycine was reportedly toxic, and that the levels recorded were many times the upper limit of normal may have both immediate and long-term effects.     

Are there acid base changes during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)?

Acid base status during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been almost neglected. We therefore measured the acid base status and interpreted the observed changes according to the Stewart approach. The Stewart model focuses more on the influence of serum electrolyte concentrations on acid base changes than does the conventional Henderson-Hasselbalch approach. In 20 patients undergoing TURP, the following variables were determined: PaO(2), PaCO(2), pH(a), actual bicarbonate, standard base excess, serum concentration of sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate, and total protein. A study group (n = 11) and a control group (n = 9) were built, depending on the maximal amount of fluid absorption estimated with the aid of ethanol concentration monitoring in the expired gas. The study group developed a mild acidosis with a decrease in pH from 7.41 to 7.37 (P = 0.037), compared with a very discrete pH decrease from 7.44 to 7.42 in the control group. We found that moderate irrigant absorption during TURP leads to a specific metabolic acidosis. We speculate that larger amounts of irrigant absorption may cause a more severe metabolic acidosis. As the constellation of independently pH regulating variables appears to be typical for TURP, this acidosis could be named "TURP-acidosis." IMPLICATIONS: We measured acid base status in 20 patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate comparing a larger fluid absorption group with a minor or no fluid absorption group. We postulate the development of a typical metabolic transurethral resection of the prostate-acidosis caused by irrigant absorption.     

DILUTIONAL HYPONATRAEMIA FOLLOWING TRANSURETHRAL OPERATION FOR CLOT RETENTION

Dilutional hyponatraemia with symptoms (TUR syndrome) may occurnot only in association with transurethral prostatic resection,but also in other operations in which electrolyte-free irrigatingfluid is used. This case report describes a patient who developedthe TUR syndrome after blood clots had been removed from thebladder with the aid of a transurethral resectoscope.     

Blutverlust und Einschwemmung bei TURP vs. TUVRP unter Niederdruck- bzw. Hochdruckbedingungen

This study analyzes the causes of different fluid absorption and loss of blood in TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) and also compares TURP with TUVRP (transurethral vaporesection of the prostate). Continuous intraoperative, intravesical pressure measurement and registration of the extent of fluid absorption (measurement of C(2)H(5)OH in the patient's expiratory air) and precise intra- and postoperative analysis of serum and ASTRUP analysis made it possible to differentiate between high- and low-pressure TUR. In addition positive and negative characteristics of TUVRP could be examined. When fluid absorption was registered, a clear correlation between C(2)H(5)OH absorption and decrease in serum concentration of sodium could be seen, making sodium in serum a good marker of fluid absorption. Neither the duration of the operation nor the size of the adenoma had an influence on fluid absorption and loss of blood, but sinus bleeding and capsular lesions, especially in high-pressure TUR, had a significant influence. An advantage of low-pressure TUR, especially in "low compliance bladder," could be clearly seen. No benefit concerning fluid absorption and loss of blood was seen in cases of total resection by TUVRP. In cases of palliative, planned TUR (elderly patients with multiple risk factors) a TUVRP is recommended.     

Acid-base status following glycine absorption in transurethral surgery.

Forty patients were studied at precisely timed 10 min intervals during transurethral prostatic resection under epidural analgesia. Blood gases, serum sodium, and volumetric irrigating-fluid balance were measured. A decrease in the serum sodium level of less than 5 mmol litre-1 was recorded in 28 patients (the 'normal TUR' group). In 12 patients, the decrease was 5 mmol litre-1 or more, which corresponded to an average absorption of irrigant of 1 litre of 2.2% glycine solution (range 0.6-2.9; the 'absorption' group). Mild metabolic acidosis often developed during the operations, but this was of similar degree in the two groups. It was concluded that uptake of irrigating fluid containing glycine does not alter the acid-base status so long as the TUR syndrome does not develop.     

Comparison of transurethral resection and plasmakinetic transurethral resection applications with regard to fluid absorption amounts in benign prostate hyperplasia

INTRODUCTION: We compare the absorption of irrigant fluid during gyrus plasmakinetic transurethral prostatectomy (PK-TURP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 42 patients with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomly assigned to undergo PK-TURP or TURP. In the PK-TURP group 0.9% NaCl was used as an irrigation fluid and 1.5% glycine in the TURP group. By adding ethanol to the irrigation fluids 1% ethanol-containing solutions were formed. All operations were carried out under spinal anesthesia and alcohol concentration of the ventilated air measurements were made just at the beginning of the operation, every 10 min peroperatively and at the end of the operation by using an alcoholmeter. RESULTS: There was no difference in age, prostate volume and the length of operation time in either group. In both groups, the estimated absorbed fluid volume increased with the duration of surgery (p < 0.05). The difference between mean fluid absorption during PK-TURP and during TURP was the statistically significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PK-TURP operation causes lesser absorption of the irrigation fluid than the TURP operation. The lesser absorption of irrigation fluid and using saline instead of glycine decreases the risk of TUR syndrome.     

电切综合征的防治(附2335例报告)

目的:探讨经尿道电切术(transurethral resection,TUR)所致电切综合征(TURS)的特点及防治方法。方法:回顾性分析我院1989～2010年施行的2 335例TUR所致63例TURS患者的临床资料,分析术中发生TURS的特点、与手术操作的关系及防治措施。结果:第一阶段经尿道电切手术120例中,发生TURS者14例(11.67%),均为TURP,其中死亡2例;第二阶段经尿道电切手术2 215例,发生TURS者49例(2.21%),无死亡病例。63例均出现不同的TURS症状,出现症状前可伴有血糖升高、低钠血症、中心静脉压升高以及血压波动。术中有24例出现前列腺包膜穿孔(38.1%),经利尿和补充高渗氯化钠溶液等处理后,症状均获改善。结论:TUR中发生TURS与操作技术密切相关,严密观察先兆症状及监测血糖、电解质、中心静脉压等,可较早发现TURS。低压灌注、缩短时间、彻底止血、避免损伤、利尿及纠正低钠血症是防治TURS的有效手段。     

Early detection of the TUR syndrome by marking the irrigating fluid with 1 % ethanol

The ethanol concentration in the expired breath (EB-ethanol), the volumetric fluid balance and the serum sodium concentration were measured in the course of 60 transurethral resections of the prostate in which the irrigating fluid was 1.5% glycine + 1% ethanol. Measurement of EB-ethanol indicated absorption of irrigant at a rate of more than 150 ml in 10 min, as measured volumetrically. There was a significant direct linear relationship between EB-ethanol and the cumulative volume of irrigant absorbed (R2 = 0.83); this correlation was stronger when the duration of absorption was taken into account (R2 = 0.90). EB-ethanol was inversely related to the overall change in the serum sodium concentration during the operation (R2 = 0.88). Symptoms that are recognized components of the TUR syndrome developed in 8 of the 13 patients absorbing more than 11 of irrigant, while the ethanol exerted no adverse effects. The results of the study indicate that 1% ethanol is a suitable marker for monitoring irrigant absorption by means of the expired breath test in routine transurethral surgery. At this concentration the sensitivity of the test is adequate for detecting absorption, while the ethanol is less toxic than the irrigant fluid itself.     

Bipolar versus monopolar transurethral resection of prostate: randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) using bipolar electrocautery and physiologic saline is a new technical advancement in the field of surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of this new technique and to compare the results with those of conventional monopolar TURP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 60 patients who were randomized 1:1 to bipolar (group 1) or monopolar (group 2) TURP. Bipolar TURP was performed with the Vista CTR resectoscope and generator (ACMI Corp.). Preoperatively, patients were assessed by symptom score, uroflow, and transrectal sonography, and the two groups were comparable with regard to these measures and age. The preoperative and postoperative parameters studied included resection time, amount of tissue resected, irrigant amount, blood loss, fluid absorption, and change in serum sodium and hemoglobin. Postoperatively, patients were assessed for symptoms, symptom score, and uroflow rate at 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: There was no difference in resected tissue amount, irrigant amount, fluid absorption, duration and amount of postoperative irrigation, or fall in hemoglobin. The mean resection rate was 0.61 g/min in group 1 and 0.74 g/min in group 2. Serum Na dropped by 4.6 Eq/L in group 2, whereas it fell only 1.2 mEq/L in group 1 (P < 0.001). Improvement in symptom and QoL scores and Q(max) were similar in the two groups. Postoperative dysuria was less common with bipolar resection. CONCLUSION: Bipolar resection of the prostate is as effective as monopolar TURP. Moreover, it does not lead to any change in serum Na and causes less postoperative dysuria.