Intravesical pressure and the TUR syndrome

Intravesical pressure was measured continuously during 35 transurethral pro state resections using a fine suprapubic catheter. Absorption of irrigating fluid was detected by tagging it with ethanol and sampling the expired bre ath using an alcohol meter. Higher mean (SD) intravesical pressure was demo nstrated in those patients who absorbed irrigating fluid (19.1 (7.7) mmHg) than in those who did not (12.4 (6.5) mmHg; p = 0.00004). Higher peak press ures were also demonstrated among absorbing patients. Traditional risk fact ors for fluid absorption, such as operator experience and resectate mass, w ere found to correlate with pressure exposure over time. Exposure to supran ormal bladder pressure over time is the final common path for all causes of absorption. Vesical pressure monitoring may be a valuable feedback tool du ring difficult resections or operator training.