THE SPRING BALANCE - A SIMPLE MONITORING-SYSTEM FOR FLUID OVERLOAD DURING HYSTEROSCOPIC SURGERY

Fluid overload may arise during hysteroscopic surgery, caused by absor ption of fluid used to distend the uterus. continuous monitoring of th e fluid balance is required to prevent this serious complication. Comm ercial equipment does not serve this purpose adequately. We describe a simple solution. We weigh the inflow and outflow volumes together on a spring balance; this method provides information about fluid balance , since any fluid lost as spillage or by absorption is reflected by a loss of weight on the balance. The method is simple, accurate, and ine xpensive, and the components can be purchased readily.