Acid phosphatase levels of irrigant solution during transurethral prostatectomy.

The acid phosphatase level of irrigant solution used during transurethral prostate resections was measured in 20 patients. The mean acid phosphatase of the irrigant solution was 45.3 IU/L (S.D. 50.7). The degree of elevation of irrigant acid phosphatase was related to the weight of tissue resected, the duration of the resection, and the total volume of irrigant used. A transient elevation of serum acid phosphatase occurred postoperatively which was associated with the level of urinary acid phosphatase elevation and the amount of absorbed irrigant solution based on changes in serum sodium.