Acid phosphatase levels in serum during transurethral prostatectomy.

Serum prostatic acid phosphatase (S-PAP), serum electrolytes, blood loss and volume of irrigating fluid absorbed were measured during 10-min periods in the course of 35 transurethral prostatic resections. Elevation of the S-PAP concentration occurred in association with a large blood loss, with absorption of irrigant followed immediately by hyponatraemia, and with a sudden drop in systolic blood pressure. The volume of blood lost during irrigant absorption was the most important index of the S-PAP level. A model for the transfer of PAP to the circulation during TURP is presented.