A COMPARISON OF 1.5% GLYCINE AND 2.7% SORBITOL-0.5% MANNITOL IRRIGANTS DURING TRANSURETHRAL PROSTATE RESECTION

PURPOSE: We performed a prospective randomized trial comparing glycine 1.5% with 2.7% sorbitol-0.5% mannitol irrigating solution. We evaluated blood loss, fluid absorption, temperature change, cardiac effects and postoperative symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1998 and July 1999, 205 treated patients were included in the statistical analysis. Intraoperative irrigating fluid absorption was measured with the patient on the operating table. Serum cardiac troponin I was used as a marker of perioperative myocardial damage. Operative details were recorded, including the type of anesthesia, resection time and the weight of resected tissue. Postoperative symptoms were documented prospectively. RESULTS: Mean patient age was not significantly different in the glycine and sorbitol-mannitol groups. (72.1 versus 73.7 years). American Society of Anesthesiologists grade was also comparable. Median resection time was 27 minutes and resected tissue weighed a mean of 21 gm. The median resection rate was 0.8 gm. per minute. Blood loss and temperature changes during resection were similar in the 2 groups. Overall median blood loss was 216 ml. and irrigant absorption was 140 ml. In the sorbitol-mannitol group significantly less fluid was apparently absorbed during resection (median 88.2 versus 184.4 ml.). Analysis of the incidence of symptoms of the transurethral prostate resection syndrome did not show any differences in the irrigant groups. Cardiac damage measured using troponin I also showed no significant difference in the 2 groups, although there was a high overall incidence of 7.5%. CONCLUSIONS: We noted no significant differences in 1.5% glycine and 2.7% sorbitol-0.5% mannitol as an irrigating solution for transurethral prostate resection.     

Absence of lactate accumulation on transurethral resection of the prostate using 2.5% sorbitol solution as an irrigating fluid

19 patients with benign hyperplasia of the prostate were studied. During transurethral resection of the prostate, 2.5% sorbitol solution was used as an irrigating fluid. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 60 and 120 min postoperatively. Samples were analysed for sorbitol metabolites (fructose, glucose, lactate and pyruvate) and inorganic phosphate. The series was divided into two groups, one with low absorption and one with high absorption of irrigating fluid. The limit for the plasma sorbitol concentration immediately postoperatively, dividing the groups, was 1.0 mmol/l, corresponding to an absorbed fluid volume of about 0.1 l. There was a slight increase in lactate and a significant decrease in pyruvate in the blood in both groups postoperatively. Blood fructose was zero in the group with low absorption of irrigating fluid whereas there was a slight increase in the group with high absorption, with a maximum of 0.53 mmol fructose/l. Blood glucose did not show any significant changes postoperatively. Inorganic phosphate in serum showed a significant decrease postoperatively in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups at the various postoperative sampling times with regard to lactate, pyruvate, glucose or inorganic phosphate in the blood. Thus, we did not observe any accumulation of lactate in the blood when using 2.5% sorbitol solution as an irrigating fluid with absorbed fluid volumes up to 1 litre (corresponding to 25 g sorbitol).     

Irrigating fluid absorption and blood loss during transurethral resection of the prostate studied with a regular interval monitoring (RIM) method

A method for the study of physiological events during transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR) is described. Measurements of volumetric irrigating fluid balance, blood loss, central venous pressure (CVP) as well as blood haemoglobin and serum levels of sodium and glycine were performed at 10-min intervals. This regular interval monitoring (RIM) method offers the possibility to retrospectively correlate changes that occur during TUR at discrete time intervals. In 20 patients undergoing TUR, irrigating fluid absorption occurred throughout the procedure although the risk of having an absorption increased 30 min after surgery commenced. Increase of blood loss coincided with intravascular but not with extravascular absorptions. If there was a rapid massive intravascular absorption of about 500 ml/10 min, the CVP increased greater than 2 mmHg. The total intraoperative blood loss was not greater in patients with large absorption volumes. RIM will detect absorption greater than the urine excretion in any given period of time. If absorption occurs during a limited time of the TUR, RIM allows a partial correction for the urinary excretion in the volumetric fluid balance.     

Blood glucose after ethanol monitoring of irrigating fluid absorption in transurethral surgery

The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia from the use of irrigating fluids containing ethanol in transurethral surgery. In the first part of the study, seven healthy male volunteers, aged between 26 and 36, received 1000 ml of irrigating fluid by intravenous infusion. The results confirm the existence of an alcohol-induced decrease in blood glucose when ethanol is given together with 1.5% glycine. In the second part of the study, 40 patients, between 56 and 88 years of age, underwent epidural anaesthesia and a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in which the irrigating fluid used contained 1.5% glycine and either 1% or 2% ethanol. The results suggest that the use of ethanol-containing irrigating fluids is often followed by a slight reduction of the blood glucose level, but the magnitude of this change is too small to be of clinical importance.     

Factors influencing the osmolality and the concentrations of blood haemoglobin and electrolytes during transurethral resection of the prostate

Twenty patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR) were followed every 10 min intraoperatively as well as 1 and 2 h postoperatively with measurements of blood haemoglobin concentration (B-Hb), serum sodium (S-Na), serum potassium (S-K), serum osmolality (S-osmol), blood loss, central venous pressure and volumetric determination of the irrigating fluid absorption. Changes in B-Hb correlated well with the sum of acetated Ringer solution given and intravascular irrigating fluid absorption. A transient decrease in S-Na of 1-4 mmol/l followed absorptions less than 300 ml. With larger intravascular absorptions, three stages of dilutive changes in S-Na and B-Hb are described. Extravascular absorptions resulted in mild blood parameter changes at various times after their occurrence. Absorption of irrigating fluid was associated with an increase in S-K. S-osmol decreased in conjunction with some absorptions, although the irrigating fluid was isotonic. Postoperative analyses of blood parameters gave only limited information about intraoperative complications. The only consistent pattern was associated with intravascular irrigating fluid absorption.     

Blood ammonia concentrations resulting from absorption of irrigating fluid containing glycine and ethanol during transurethral resection of the prostate

In 30 patients the blood ammonia concentration was measured 30 min was after transurethral resection of the prostate during which absorption of irrigating fluid containing 1.5% of glycine and 1% of ethanol had been indicated by serial expired breath tests. The volume of irrigating fluid that had been absorbed was either measured volumetrically (n = 25) or estimated from the ethanol concentration in the expired breath (n = 5); the median volume of irrigating fluid absorbed was 1.3 litres (range 0.2-4.3). There was no consistent rise in the blood ammonia concentration, nor was there any correlation between the blood ammonia concentration and the volume of irrigating fluid absorbed. No patient developed symptoms that could be clearly related to hyperammonaemic glycine toxicity, but 18 of the 30 patients developed other signs of the "TURP syndrome". The present results suggest that irrigating fluid containing both glycine and ethanol does not significantly increase blood ammonia concentration or produce symptoms of glycine toxicity.     

Effects of 1.5% glycine solution with and without 1% ethanol on the fluid balance in elderly men

Ten male patients scheduled for transurethral prostatic resection (aged 57-79) were given irrigating fluid by intravenous infusion at 50 ml.min-1 over 20 min. Each patient was subjected to two infusions: 1.5% glycine in water on one occasion, and the same solution but with 1% ethanol added on the other. Urine and blood samples were collected at regular intervals for up to 2 h after infusion, and the changes in the distribution of water and electrolytes between fluid compartments were calculated. Transient prickling skin sensations were frequently reported effects of the infusions. Two patients experienced visual disturbances. There were no changes in the blood ammonia and plasma vasopressin levels. During the infusions, the estimated blood volume and the total plasma sodium and potassium content increased. The solutions produced osmotic diuresis with increased urinary excretion of water and electrolytes. After ending the fluid administration, blood volume was rapidly restored. Over the following 120 min the irrigant water was redistributed intracellularly or removed by urinary excretion. The addition of ethanol did not alter the overall effects of glycine solution on the fluid balance.     

Serum amino acid patterns and toxicity symptoms following the absorption of irrigant containing glycine in transurethral prostatic surgery

The relationships between the serum concentrations of amino acids, the volume of irrigating fluid absorbed and symptoms of glycine toxicity were analysed in 18 patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate and in whom intravascular absorption of irrigating fluid containing 2.2% glycine had been recorded. A mean of 7% of the transferred glycine could be detected in the serum within 10 min of irrigant absorption. The half-life of glycine in serum was twice as long when the volume of irrigant absorbed exceeded 1500 ml (100 min; n = 6), and the serum levels of alanine, aminobutyrate, proline and serine were significantly more elevated, than when the volume of irrigant absorbed was between 900 and 1300 ml (n = 6). Where the amount of glycine transferred exceeded 0.5 g.kg-1, symptoms of glycine toxicity developed, their onset coinciding with a rapid increase in the serum levels of non-essential amino acids other than glycine.     

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.     

ECG and cardiac enzymes after glycine absorption in transurethral prostatic resection

The electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded and the serum levels of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (ASAT) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) were measured in 22 patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) under spinal or epidural anaesthesia. The irrigating fluid consisted of 1.5% glycine and 1 % ethanol, and absorption of the fluid was monitored by detection of alcohol in the expired breath. The results show that nine of the 11 patients (82%) who absorbed more than 1, 000 ml of irrigating fluid had developed ECG changes 24 h after the operations. The most common alteration was depression of the T wave. This sign was only seen in one (9%) of the patients who absorbed none or very small amounts of irrigating fluid ( P < 0.001). The serum activity of CK and ASAT increased in five patients who also developed ECG changes, and the highest values were recorded 24 h after TURP. The CK–MB isoenzyme was detected in 85% of the samples with elevated total CK, but the criteria for myocardial infarction were never fulfilled. In contrast, PAP increased in all patients and the highest level occurred at the end of TURP. The activity–time profiles suggest that CK and ASAT entered the circulation by a mechanism different from that of PAP. We conclude that absorption of glycine solution during TURP is frequently followed by nonspecific ECG signs of altered cardiac function and also that the serum activities of CK and ASAT increase is some of these patients.     

Ethanol monitoring of transurethral prostatic resection during inhaled anesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the precision of a method of breath-alcohol analysis used to monitor absorption of irrigating fluid during transurethral resection of the prostate performed under inhaled anesthesia. A breath-alcohol analyzer (Alcolmeter SD-2) was placed between the endotracheal tube and the Bains' circuit. The concentration of ethanol in the breath, serum sodium concentration, and volumetric fluid balance were measured at 10-min intervals during 38 operations when the irrigating fluid contained 1.5% glycine and 1% ethanol. Ethanol monitoring detected absorption rates that exceeded 14 +/- 8 mL/min (mean +/- SD). In 17 patients in whom hyponatremia developed immediately in connection with absorption, the volume of irrigating fluid absorbed (up to 1950 mL) could be predicted from a single expired-breath test with a standard error of 325 mL. When the alcohol measurements were corrected for absorption time, the standard error was 215 mL. Seven other patients received 2.2% wt/vol glycine as irrigating fluid, and ethanol (0.35 g/kg) was administered by intravenous infusion. The direct and indirect measurements of the blood-alcohol concentration agreed well. These results confirm that ethanol monitoring is a viable technique during inhaled anesthesia for transurethral resection of the prostate.     

Dextran 70 and blood loss during transurethral resection of the prostate

Background: Dextran is an effective plasma expander but also a potential anticoagulant. This article attempts to establish the clinical significance of any increased intra-operative blood loss associated with the use of dextran 70 during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
Methods: The blood loss was measured in used irrigating fluid by a photometer in 800 patients undergoing TURP. In 154 of them, 500-1,000 ml of 6% dextran 70 was given for volume replacement. A regression model was used to test for interactions between the use of dextran and the operative parameters that correlated independently with the blood loss.
Results: The bleeding varied between 10 and 3,825 ml (median 323). Operative parameters correlating to the blood loss were: weight of the prostatic resectate, operating time, irrigating fluid absorption, and systolic arterial blood pressure. The result of this regression analysis indicated that dextran did not increase the blood loss. Neither did the prostatic weight and operating-time-corrected blood loss increase when dextran was infused.
Conclusion: There was no indication that dextran 70 given within the recommended dose range increases the blood loss during TURP.     

Visual evoked potentials and visual acuity after transurethral resection of the prostate

Changes in visual evoked potentials, visual acuity, blood ammonia levels and serum electrolytes (Na+ and K+) after transurethral resection of the prostate using glycine as an irrigating fluid performed under subarachnoid block were studied in 12 patients, in the pre-operative and immediate postoperative periods. Visual evoked potentials (p100 latency), recorded by shift of a checkerboard pattern, increased significantly from a pre-operative value of mean (SEM) 101.18 (1.63) msec in the right eye, and 102.5 (1.47) msec in the left eye to 108.91 (1.8) msec (p less than 0.01) and 108.08 (2.53) msec (p less than 0.01) respectively in the postoperative phase. There were no changes in visual acuity as assessed by a Snellen's chart, blood ammonia levels and serum electrolyte concentrations. The amount of glycine used intra-operatively for irrigation ranged from 3 to 31 litres.     

Troponin T and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide changes in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate

PURPOSE: We investigated whether transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) caused subclinical myocardial damage or cardiac dysfunction by measuring troponin T (Trop T) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 consenting patients took part in this study. All had a detailed medical history including cardiac history taken. On the day of the operation all patients had troponin T, pro-BNP, full blood count and urea, electrolytes and creatinine measured preoperatively. A preoperative and postoperative electrocardiogram was performed. Patients in renal failure were excluded from analysis. During the operations factors such as blood loss, operative time, tissue resected and fluid absorption were monitored. On postoperative day 1 all the previously mentioned tests were repeated. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 71 years (range 52 to 85). Eight patients had a history of associated cardiac problems. Mean preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin were 14.1 gm/dl (range 10.5 to 17) and 13.3 gm/dl (range 9.9 to 16.2), respectively. None of the patients had significant (greater than 1,000 ml) fluid absorption during TURP, which was calculated using ethanol tagged glycine. Mean blood loss measured with a photometer was 129.7 ml (range 0 to 1,800). Mean operative time was 28.4 minutes (range 5 to 50) and mean weight of prostatic tissue resected was 15.2 gm (range 1 to 47). Preoperative Trop T was less than 0.01 mcg/ml in all patients and mean pro-BNP was 39.2 pg/ml (range 0.5 to 866). Postoperative Trop T was less than 0.01 mcg/ml in all but 1 patient who experienced chest pain after TURP and had an increased Trop T (0.28 mcg/ml). Mean postoperative pro-BNP was 54.57 pg/ml (range 1 to 679). A total of 37 patients had an increase in pro-BNP which was still within the reference range for the age group. There were no significant electrocardiogram changes postoperatively. The Trop T changes were not statistically significant (Wilcoxon sign ranked test p = 0.31) although they may be clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that in patients with no prior cardiac history TURP does not cause myocardial damage indicated by nonincrease of Trop T. There are slight increases in pro-BNP after TURP in some patients although the exact clinical significance is uncertain.     

Ethanol monitoring of the transurethral resection syndrome

Ethanol monitoring is a fairly new method of assessing fluid absorption during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). By using an irrigating fluid containing a trace amount of ethanol, the absorption can be measured by expired-breath tests. We describe a TURP in which large-scale absorption of irrigating fluid occurred despite the use of a pressure-warning device set at 10 cm H₂O. The surgeon decided to terminate the operation because 1.0 liters of fluid had been absorbed over 10 minutes, and another 1.0 liter was absorbed during the 10 minutes required to conclude the surgery. The high absorption rate suggests that continued resection would have promoted a severe transurethral resection syndrome. This was prevented by the indication given by the breath test, whereas the pressure-warning device failed to do so.     

Transurethral prostate resection and bleeding: a randomized,placebo controlled trial of role of finasteride for decreasing operative blood loss

PURPOSE: Bleeding associated with transurethral prostate resection can often be significant and lead to increased morbidity and occasionally mortality. It has been shown that finasteride decreases bleeding in patients with hematuria of prostatic origin. We hypothesized that bleeding in patients undergoing transurethral prostate resection could be decreased by giving finasteride for 2 weeks before surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 70 patients scheduled to undergo elective transurethral prostate resection were randomized to receive 5 mg. finasteride daily or placebo for 2 weeks before surgery. Serum hemoglobin was measured before and after surgery, and the following day. The volume of irrigation fluid used and its hemoglobin concentration as well as resected prostate weight were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 68 patients who underwent transurethral prostate resection 2 were withdrawn before surgery, and so 32 received finasteride and 36 received placebo. There was significantly less mean blood loss in irrigation fluid in the finasteride group than in the control group (43.6 versus 69.3 gm. hemoglobin, p = 0.011). The mean difference was more significant when blood loss per gm. resected prostate was calculated (2.65 versus 4.65 gm. hemoglobin per gm. prostate, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that finasteride given for 2 weeks preoperatively decreases bleeding in patients undergoing transurethral prostate resection. Further study is required to determine the optimal timing and dose duration to minimize blood loss and identify how relevant such a decrease in bleeding is in clinical practice.     

Bipolar transurethral resection in saline--an alternative surgical treatment for bladder outlet obstruction?

PURPOSE: The transurethral resection in saline system uses bipolar energy for transurethral prostate resection, thus, avoiding the need for glycine irrigation and its associated complications. We compared the clinical efficacy and safety of bipolar transurethral resection in saline and of monopolar transurethral prostate resection for symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2006, 238 consecutive patients with symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia were randomized into a prospective, controlled trial comparing the 2 treatment modalities. Patient demographics, operative time, hospital stay and complications were noted. Serum hemoglobin and electrolytes were determined in all patients immediately before and after the endoscopic procedure. RESULTS: During 18 months 120 patients were randomized to the conventional transurethral prostate resection group and 118 were randomized to the transurethral resection in saline group. Patient profiles, weight of resected prostatic tissue and duration of hospitalization were similar in the 2 groups. The decrease in serum sodium and serum chloride was statistically significantly greater in the transurethral prostate resection group than in the transurethral resection in saline group (each p = 0.05). The transurethral resection in saline procedure required significantly more time (mean 56 vs 44 minutes, p <0.01). There was 1 case (0.8%) of transurethral resection syndrome in the transurethral prostate resection group but none in the transurethral resection in saline group. Postoperative bleeding did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. Clot retention was observed in 6 (5%) and 4 patients (3%) in the transurethral prostate resection and transurethral resection in saline group, respectively. Two repeat interventions were required in the transurethral prostate resection group. CONCLUSIONS: The bipolar transurethral resection in saline system is as efficacious as monopolar transurethral prostate resection but it is safer than the latter because of the lesser decrease in postoperative hypernatremia and the smaller risk of transurethral resection syndrome. However, probably due to technical reasons, transurethral resection in saline operative time is significantly longer.     

The volumetric fluid balance as a measure of fluid absorption during transurethral resection of the prostate

To evaluate the usefulness of the volumetric fluid balance for indicating and quantifying fluid absorption during transurethral resection of the prostate, 62 patients showing fluid absorption on ethanol monitoring (control method) were selected from a series of 410 operations. The volumetric fluid balance, which was measured as the difference between the input and output of irrigating fluid with and without a correction for the blood loss, proved to be an unreliable clinical tool for measuring the absorption. It indicated that fluid absorption occurred only in 40 or 18 of the 62 patients, depending on whether a correction for blood loss was made or not, the volume being only 59% and 71% (median), respectively, of that obtained by the control method. The absorption averaged 1 L in the patients in whom the volumetric measurements did not indicate absorption. The incidence of symptoms of the 'transurethral resection syndrome' increased with the absorbed fluid volume only when measured by the control method.     

Water and electrolytes in muscle tissue and free amino acids in muscle and plasma in connection with transurethral resection of the prostate. II. Isotonic 2.2% glycine solution as an irrigating fluid.

Seventeen patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate using isotonic 2.2% glycine solution as an irrigating fluid were studied. The extra- and intracellular distribution of water, the total content of water, and the concentrations of electrolytes and free amino acids in muscle tissue were determined together with the concentrations of free amino acids in plasma preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively in two groups with separate sampling periods. There were no significant changes in water content and sodium or chloride concentrations in muscle tissue postoperatively. Potassium and magnesium concentrations decreased late in the postoperative phase. In plasma there was a fifty-fold increase immediately postoperatively in the glycine concentration (mean fluid absorption 0.71) followed by a six-fold increase in muscle tissue 6 hours postoperatively. The glycine metabolite serine also increased in plasma and muscle. Other muscle amino acid concentrations decreased immediately postoperatively probably due to the massive glycine entrance into the cells. Later postoperative changes in some muscle amino acids (glutamine, glutamate, alanine, tyrosine and arginine) may be explained more by the operative trauma than by the influence of glycine. Two different types of metabolic effects are seen in this material. The first is that of the glycine infusion and the metabolic effects of glycine. The second is the catabolic influence of the surgical trauma. Accumulation of glycine in tissues in some patients with the possible production of ammonia and the effects of glycine as an inhibitory neurotransmitter must be considered as risk factors when choosing glycine as an irrigating fluid.     

A comparison of fluid absorption during transurethral resection and transurethral vaporization for benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVES: To compare the absorption of irrigant fluid during transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomly assigned to undergo TURP or TUVP; 1.5% glycine +1% ethanol solution was used as the irrigating solution. The volume of irrigant absorbed during surgery was estimated from the ethanol concentration in the patient's expired breath, sampled every 10 min. RESULTS: In both groups, the estimated absorbed fluid volume increased with the duration of surgery (P < 0.05). At the end of surgery, the mean (median, range) fluid absorption during TUVP was 672 (606, 0-1400) mL and during TURP was 1347 (975, 453-2965) mL; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although TURP has a greater associated risk of fluid absorption than TUVP there may still be severe fluid absorption with the latter. Even though TUVP is potentially less harmful than TURP in poor-risk patients, ethanol monitoring is beneficial for increasing patient safety.