[Infusion therapy during transurethral prostatectomy].

In 24 patients undergoing transurethral resection (TUR) of the prostate, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, osmolarity and protein in serum were measured every 15 min. Depending on the composition of the electrolyte solution, there is a sharp fall in serum sodium and osmolarity caused by the leakage of irrigation fluid into the patients circulation. There is also a rise in central venous pressure and a fall of serum protein. There is a correlation between the fall of serum sodium and osmolarity and the rise of central venous pressure. Our results allow the conclusion that a restricted infusion programme with high sodium concentrations can be recommended. Depending on the patients serum protein, preoperative albumin solutions (20%) can be necessary to prevent a dangerous fall of oncotic pressure intraoperatively. The pathophysiology of the TUR syndrome and the importance of an adequate infusion therapy are discussed.