How to master absorption during transurethral resection of the prostate: basic measures guided by the ethanol method

Irrigation fluid absorption during transurethral bipolar and laser prostate surgery: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Transurethral endoscopic procedures using bipolar current, or laser energy are nowadays widely accepted and have replaced the traditional monopolar resection. A major advantage of these techniques is the utilization of isotonic saline as irrigation solution, which minimizes side effects such as symptoms associated to classical transurethral resection syndrome (TUR-syndrome). Nonetheless, clinically significant IFA also occurs with saline and is determined by pressure gradients, systemic resistance and by the amount of irrigation fluid. We aimed to investigate the extend of IFA and symptoms due to volume overload during bipolar transurethral resection (bTUR) and laser procedures of the prostate.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, restricted to original English-written articles, including animal, artificial model, and human studies. Search terms were TUR, transurethral, laser, HoLEP, ThuLEP, greenlight, enucleation, fluid absorption, fluid uptake, and TUR-syndrome.

RESULTS

Mean and maximum IFA during bTURP ranges between 133 and 915 ml and 1019 ml and 2166 ml, respectively. Absorption during laser procedures can be significant with maximum values up to 4579 ml and mainly occurs during prostate vaporization techniques. Incidence of moderate to severe symptoms from iso-osmolar volume overload reaches 9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Irrigation fluid absorption during bTUR and laser surgery of the prostate is not negligible. Iso-osmolar overhydration with development of non-classical TUR-syndrome should be identified peri- and postoperatively and surgical teams should be aware of complications. Breath ethanol, venous pH, serum chloride, and bicarbonate could be markers for detecting dangerous events of IFA with saline.

Relevance of intravesical pressures during transurethral procedures

PURPOSE

Endourology has undergone fundamental changes over the last 2 decades. Maintaining low intrarenal pressure (IRP) during upper urinary tract procedures is an established concept. However, researchers have not yet studied the concept of reduced intravesical pressures (IVPs) during transurethral (TUR) surgery as thoroughly. Low IVP is supposed to decrease complications as fluid retention, TUR syndrome, and incidence of fever. The study aims to give an overview of the contemporarily existing concepts and specify the term of low IVP to avoid TUR-related complications and optimize TUR-related results.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using PubMed, restricted to original English-written articles, including animal, artificial model, and human studies. Different keywords were transurethral resection, transurethral enucleation, transurethral vaporization, pressure, fluid absorption, and TUR syndrome.

RESULTS

Analyzed mean IVPs during TUR vary between 11 and 35 cmH₂O but are mostly kept below 30 cmH₂O. Mean maximum IVPs during TUR range from 20 to 55 cmH₂O. Maximum IVPs seem to be lower when surgeons utilize continuous flow resection, and irrigation pressures are kept low. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between IVP levels and fluid absorption.

CONCLUSIONS

IVP increase remains a neglected predictor of transurethral procedure complications, and endourologists should consider its intraoperative monitoring. Further research is necessary to quantify generated pressures and introduce means of controlling them.

Glycine 1.5% for irrigation should be abandoned

BACKGROUND

Glycine 1.5% has long maintained a dominating role as an irrigating solution for monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), as well as for certain other transurethral procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review summarizes the findings of systematic experimental and clinical studies in which glycine 1.5% for irrigation was infused/absorbed and the outcome compared to at least one other irrigating fluid, including the isotonic saline used for bipolar TURP.

RESULTS

There were 11 studies in animals, 3 in volunteers and 6 in patients undergoing TURP. With only one exception, which is probably due to low power, these studies either show a poorer outcome after administration or absorption of glycine solution or else that glycine 2.2% is more toxic than glycine 1.5%. The poorer outcomes consisted of more tissue damage or higher mortality (animals) or more symptoms (volunteers and patients).

CONCLUSION

The safety of monopolar TURP would be improved by replacing glycine 1.5% with some other electrolyte-free fluid. The author argues that glycine 1.5% should be abandoned completely.

Does an alcolmeter in the hands of an anesthesiologist make TURP safer? - Results from a case-control study

BACKGROUND

This hospital-based, prospective, case-controlled study was carried out to monitor fluid absorption during transurethral resection of the prostrate (TURP) by marking the irrigating fluid with ethanol for signs of TURP syndrome. Addition of ethanol allows early detection and prevention of full blown TURP syndrome as also the volume of fluid absorbed can be measured.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Patients were divided into two groups of 50 each, taking males undergoing TURP belonging to ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) I and II. Group 1 received irrigation with 1.5% glycine alone and group 2 received irrigation with 1.5% glycine along with ethanol during TURP. The primary outcome measure was the detection of TURP syndrome using end expiratory ethanol levels and comparing with serum electrolytes and clinical manifestations. The secondary outcome measures, the hemodynamic parameters such as heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressures, and oxygen saturation were recorded during the intraoperative period after spinal anesthesia and then postoperatively till the end of the first hour in the recovery room.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Chi-square test, Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient 'r'.

RESULTS

Mean resection time in the ethanol positive patients (36.36 min) was significantly higher than that in the ethanol negative patients (22.08 min) (P < 0.01). The estimated fluid absorbed was statistically significant in 45 minutes of resection in three patients with positive ethanol readings (P < 0.05). Resection was temporally stopped in 16 patients (32%) and permanently in 1 patient (2%), whose resection time reached 60 min. A positive correlation was found between total fall in serum sodium and maximum expiratory ethanol concentration. There was a significant difference in the heart rate between the two groups in the 40(th) minute (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ethanol is a noninvasive, easy-to-use marker in irrigating fluid for assessing fluid absorption. It forewarns to take corrective measures earlier than both fall in sodium and manifestations of TURP syndrome, allowing successful completion of TURP.

Dilutional hyponatremia of TURP syndrome: a historical event in the 21st century

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the risk of hyponatremia and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) syndrome after bipolar saline TURP in patients with large-volume, benign prostatic hyperplasia and statistically significant comorbidities.

METHODS

Five patients with large symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and significant comorbidities underwent saline TURP. Data were collected regarding patient profile, prostate weight, operative time, and perioperative events. In particular, we studied and compared the preoperative and postoperative serum sodium concentrations and hematocrit.

RESULTS

The mean age was 68 years (range 57 to 76). The mean resection weight of the prostatic chips was 49.6 g (range 37 to 62). Senior urology residents under the supervision of the university faculty performed all procedures. The average operative time was 2 hours, 22 minutes (range 98 to 175 minutes). The mean serum sodium concentration decreased by 1.6 mg/dL (from 138.4 mg/dL preoperatively to 136.8 mg/dL postoperatively). The mean hematocrit decreased by 5.60% (from 40.24% preoperatively to 34.64% postoperatively). Postoperative recovery was uneventful in all 5 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Bipolar saline TURP is safe and eliminates the risk of TURP syndrome in high-risk patients with large prostates that require lengthy resection. In addition, the system permits the faculty to spend the time needed for teaching and training urology residents without compromising patient safety.