No evidence of fluid absorption during continuous low-pressure transurethral resection of the prostate: Assessment by measuring expiratory breath ethanol concentrations

Objective: Measurement of the ethanol concentration in expired breath durin g transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Methods: TU RP is a nonin vasive method to estimate the amount of irrigant absorbed. The expiratory b reath ethanol concentrations (EBEC) were measured with a standard alcohol b reath analyzer in 35 patients in the course of TURF. All interventions were performed with a 27-french continuous flow resectoscope using a solution o f 1.5% glycine + 1% ethanol as irrigating fluid. Serum sodium and osmolalit y were measured pre- and postoperatively. No patient developed signs of tra nsurethral resection syndrome; no significant changes in serum sodium, osmo lality and EBEC were found throughout the operation. Conclusion: Absorption of irrigant fluid during TUFF with continuous low-pressure irrigation seem s to be extremely slight (if not absent) as measured by expired breath etha nol method.