Monitoring of irrigation fluid absorption during percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: the use of 1% ethanol as a marker.

This study was performed in 32 ASA I patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotripsy under general anaesthesia, using absorption of 1% ethanol as a marker to monitor irrigation fluid absorption. Various parameters of fluid absorption were studied and compared, including irrigation fluid volume, irrigation time, total volume of irrigation fluid absorbed and the rate of irrigation. The amount of irrigant used vs. the volume absorbed and the volume absorbed vs. total irrigation time were observed. Fluid absorption occurred in 78% of patients, and 28% absorbed volumes in excess of 1 l. The mean volume of fluid absorbed was 696.7 ml. The maximum fluid absorption was observed when the irrigation fluid volume, total irrigation time and irrigation rate exceeded 10 l, 30 min and 200 ml.min(-1), respectively. In conclusion, this study has shown 1% ethanol to be a safe, simple and cost-effective marker of fluid absorption during percutaneous nephrolithotripsy associated with minimal adverse effects.