Comparison of urological irrigating fluids containing glycine and mannitolin volunteers

BACKGROUND. We compared symptoms and indices of fluid distribution after ex perimental administration of glycine and mannitol solutions, since these ir rigating fluids are sometimes absorbed by the patient during genitourinary surgery. METHODS. Glycine 1.5% and mannitol 3%, both with ethanol 1% added, were giv en by intravenous infusion at a rate of 0.5 ml/kg/min during 30 min to 12 m ale volunteers. Symptoms, cognitive status, hemodynamics, electrocardiogram during 24 hr, computerized tomography of the brain, bioimpedance, blood ch emistry, and breath ethanol concentrations were recorded. RESULTS. Glycine tvas associated with more symptoms than mannitol (P < 0.00 6), but the cognitive status, computerized tomography examinations, electro cardiograms, and breath ethanol concentrations did not differ between the s olutions. The urinary excretion of fluid and sodium was greater after manni tol (P < 0.04), while only the glycine infusions hydrated the cells (P < 0. 05). For both fluids, the intravascular and interstitial volumes were below baseline 3 hr after the experiment started (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS. Glycine 1.5% had a higher tendency than mannitol 3% to cause s ymptoms and to accumulate in the cells. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.