HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECTS OF TRANSURETHRAL PROSTATECTOMY

Thoracic bio-impedance cardiography was used to study the haemodynamic changes in 28 patients undergoing transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) under either general or spinal anaesthesia. Cardiac output and mean ar terial pressure fell with induction of general anaesthesia, whilst mea n arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance fell with inducti on of spinal anaesthesia. The transthoracic fluid index fell during re section under general anaesthesia, but no significant haemodynamic cha nges were seen during resection under either anaesthetic. This study s uggests that resection has no specific adverse haemodynamic consequenc es. Spinal anaesthesia may produce less haemodynamic disturbance than general anaesthesia in patients undergoing TURP and formal comparison of the 2 techniques seems necessary.