Description

ABSTRACT

Background: Irrigating fluid is necessary for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Initially, water was used and paved way for newer irrigating fluids such as glycine because of attendant complications noted. Water is now used safely in many centres as an irrigating fluid. Aim: To determine the serum level of sodium and safety of sterile water as irrigating fluid for transurethral resection of the prostate. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a private specialist hospital in Port Harcourt on 53 patients from November 2012 to April 2015. All patients who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms, diagnosed as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and planned for TURP were evaluated further for their serum sodium level preoperatively as well as postoperatively. Patients analysis used were number of patients, age, preoperative and postoperative serum sodium, packed cell volume. Results: The change in plasma sodium concentration was not statistically significant, however hyponatremia was observed in 8 patients. There was postoperative hematuria requiring blood transfusion in 5 patients and no clinical evidence related postoperative renal impairment. Conclusion: Sterile water is a relatively safe solution as an irrigating fluid for TURP but attention must be paid to the inevitable blood loss during surgery.

 Keywords: Transurethral resection of the prostate, Sodium, Hyponatraemia, Hematuria