EVALUATION OF FLUID ABSORPTION DURING LASER PROSTATECTOMY BY BREATH ETHANOL TECHNIQUES

Purpose: Laser prostatectomy has evolved as a less invasive method of relieving bladder outlet obstruction due to prostatic enlargement. The elimination of adenomatous tissue by laser induced coagulation necros is theoretically avoids the sequelae of fluid absorption noted during traditional transurethral resection of the prostate. However, to our k nowledge no accurate determination of fluid absorption during laser pr ostatectomy has been performed to date. Materials and Methods: A techn ique previously described to determine the amount; of irrigant absorbe d during transurethral resection of the prostate measures breath ethan ol levels using a standard alcohol breath analyzer during the procedur e after a predetermined amount of ethanol is added to the irrigant flu id. This method was used in 4 men undergoing laser prostatectomy. Resu lts: All 4 subjects had ethanol levels of 0 throughout the operation, indicating that little or no irrigant fluid was absorbed. Conclusions: We demonstrated in a quantitative manner that fluid absorption during laser prostatectomy is almost nil and patients are, indeed, at no ris k for the transurethral resection syndrome.