Ethanol-glycine irrigating fluid for transurethral resection of the prostate in practice

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of a tracer of 1% ethanol in 1.5% glyc ine in the early detection of irrigation fluid absorption during transureth ral resection of the prostate (TURP). Patients and methods Patients (120) undergoing TURP were irrigated with 1% ethanol in 1.5% glycine solution and their expired air tested for alcohol e very 10 min during the procedure. Results In all, 112 patients were assessed: over half of the patients absor bed the irrigation fluid and they had a significantly lower postoperative s erum sodium concentration (P < 0.002). Fourteen patients (12.5%) absorbed o ver 500 mL and two (1.8%) developed clinical features of the TUR syndrome. The experience of the surgeon, the weight of resected chips and the operati ve duration were not significantly predictive of absorption. Conclusion A tracer amount of ethanol in the irrigant is reliable for detec ting absorption. Irrigating fluid absorption was unpredictable, thus suppor ting the case for routine monitoring.