Glycine solution as an irrigating agent during transurethral prostatic resection. Glycine concentrations in blood plasma.

In 17 men undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), an isosmotic solution of 2.2% glycine was used for irrigation. The plasma glycine concentration was determined before and immediately after TURP and 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours later. The serum concentrations of sodium, albumin and prostatic acid phosphatase protein (PAP) were used as indicators of fluid absorption. Calculation of the absorbed fluid volume was based on the plasma concentration of glycine, and the disappearance rate of glycine from plasma was estimated. The mean disappearance rate (T 1/2) was 85 min, which was midway between previously observed rates for sorbitol and mannitol. The observed plasma glycine increase after TURP correlated well with fall in serum sodium and rise in serum PAP, with the blood loss during and up to 15 min after TURP, and also with the weight of the resected tissue. The plasma glycine level, highest immediately after TURP, normalized 24-48 hours postoperatively. No signs of ammonia intoxication or marked serum urea increase were seen in these patients, although some had very high plasma glycine values after TURP (mean 10.2, maximum 23 mmol/l) as compared with the preoperative levels (mean 0.2 mmol/l). There was some increase of plasma serine (a normal metabolite of glycine) after TURP. The authors conclude that the irrigating fluid should have a minimal concentration of glycine, near to the level of haemolysis onset, to minimize the plasma dilution effects, including hyponatraemia, and the appearance of metabolites when the irrigating fluid is absorbed.