The effect of prostatic capsule perforation on the absorption of irrigating fluid during transurethral resection

Concurrent laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair and transurethral resection of prostate: Breaking with convention - A retrospective study

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate concurrent laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with determination of outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at our hospital, from June 2011 to June 2020. Over 9 years, 17 patients with co-existing uncomplicated unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia (primary/recurrent) and significant benign prostatic hypertrophy were operated in the same sitting. The following outcomes were compared: duration of the surgery, conversion to open hernia surgery, intraoperative and post-operative complications, duration of hospital stay, recurrence, time taken to resume normal activity and cost of the treatment.

RESULTS

This study included 17 patients with a mean age of 65 years (range of 50-87 years). The average time taken for the surgery was 115 min with no conversion to open hernia repair. The mean post-operative stay was 3.7 days. There were four patients (23.5%) with seromas identified at day 10, only two remained at 6 weeks and none at 12 weeks. None had significant bleeding intraoperatively or postoperatively. There was no superficial or deep wound infection (including mesh infection). There was no recurrence of inguinal hernia. Two patients (11.7%) developed post-TURP urethral stricture and underwent cystoscopic stricturoplasty, 3 and 2.5 months after the initial procedure. The time taken to resume normal activity was 7 (±1) days. The hospital cost is reduced by 25% as compared to the sum of costs when both the operations are done separately.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent TEP inguinal hernia repair and TURP is a practical, safe and cost-effective procedure.

Irrigation fluid absorption during transurethral bipolar and laser prostate surgery: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Transurethral endoscopic procedures using bipolar current, or laser energy are nowadays widely accepted and have replaced the traditional monopolar resection. A major advantage of these techniques is the utilization of isotonic saline as irrigation solution, which minimizes side effects such as symptoms associated to classical transurethral resection syndrome (TUR-syndrome). Nonetheless, clinically significant IFA also occurs with saline and is determined by pressure gradients, systemic resistance and by the amount of irrigation fluid. We aimed to investigate the extend of IFA and symptoms due to volume overload during bipolar transurethral resection (bTUR) and laser procedures of the prostate.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, restricted to original English-written articles, including animal, artificial model, and human studies. Search terms were TUR, transurethral, laser, HoLEP, ThuLEP, greenlight, enucleation, fluid absorption, fluid uptake, and TUR-syndrome.

RESULTS

Mean and maximum IFA during bTURP ranges between 133 and 915 ml and 1019 ml and 2166 ml, respectively. Absorption during laser procedures can be significant with maximum values up to 4579 ml and mainly occurs during prostate vaporization techniques. Incidence of moderate to severe symptoms from iso-osmolar volume overload reaches 9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Irrigation fluid absorption during bTUR and laser surgery of the prostate is not negligible. Iso-osmolar overhydration with development of non-classical TUR-syndrome should be identified peri- and postoperatively and surgical teams should be aware of complications. Breath ethanol, venous pH, serum chloride, and bicarbonate could be markers for detecting dangerous events of IFA with saline.

Absorption of irrigation fluid during XPS™ GreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate: results from a prospective breath ethanol monitoring study

PURPOSE

To assess whether and to what extent irrigation fluid absorption occurs during laser vaporization (LV) of the prostate using the 180 W XPS™ GreenLight laser.

METHODS

This prospective investigation was performed in a tertiary care center with a consecutive series of patients undergoing 180 W LV of the prostate. Intraoperative irrigation was performed with isotonic saline containing 1 % ethanol. The volume of irrigation fluid absorption was calculated from periodically performed breath ethanol measurements during LV. Additionally, intraoperative changes in biochemical and hematological blood parameters were assessed.

RESULTS

Positive breath ethanol tests were detectable in 22 of 54 patients. The median absorption volume in these patients was 950 ml (range 208-4579 ml). Ten patients absorbed more than 2000 ml. Absorbers had smaller prostates, more capsular perforations and injuries to venous sinuses, and more total energy was applied with higher output power. Five patients had transient symptoms potentially related to fluid absorption. A significant drop in hemoglobin, hematocrit, venous pH and bicarbonate and an increase in chloride were detectable in the absorber group. These changes were significantly different in the non-absorber group.

CONCLUSIONS

Absorption of irrigation fluid did occur in a relevant proportion of patients undergoing XPS™ GreenLight LV. High-volume absorption (≥2000 ml), which might be clinically relevant, was detectable in almost 20 % of all procedures. Absorption of saline irrigation fluid does not result in a classical TUR syndrome, but fluid and chloride overload can lead to serious complications, particularly in cardiovascular high-risk patients. Thus, patients with symptoms potentially related to fluid absorption should be monitored carefully.

Fluid absorption and the ethanol monitoring method

BACKGROUND

Fluid absorption is a well-known complication of endoscopic surgeries, such as transurethral prostatic resection and transcervical endometrial resection. Absorption of electrolyte-free fluid in excess of 1 L, which occurs in 5% to 10% of the operations, markedly increases the risk of adverse effects from the cardiovascular and neurological systems. Absorption of isotonic saline, which is used with the new bipolar resection technique, will change the scenario of adverse effects in a yet unknown way. Hyponatremia no longer occurs, but marking the saline with ethanol reveals that fluid absorption occurs just as much as with monopolar prostate resections.

METHODS

Ethanol monitoring is a method for non-invasive indication and quantification of fluid absorption that has been well evaluated. By using an irrigating fluid that contains 1% of ethanol, updated information about fluid absorption can be obtained at any time perioperatively by letting the patient breathe into a hand-held alcolmeter.

RESULTS

Regression equations and nomograms with variable complexity are available for estimating how much fluid has been absorbed, both when the alcolmeter is calibrated to show the blood ethanol level and when it is calibrated to show the breath ethanol concentration. Examples of how such estimations should be performed are given in this review article.

CONCLUSIONS

The difficulty is that the anesthesiologist must be aware of how the alcolmeter is calibrated (for blood or breath) and be able to distinguish between the intravascular and extravascular absorption routes, which give rise to different patterns and levels of breath ethanol concentrations.

Frequency of Electrolyte Derangement after Transurethral Resection of Prostate: Need for Postoperative Electrolyte Monitoring

Objective. To determine the electrolyte derangement following transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Methods. All patients undergoing TURP from June 2012 to April 2013 were included. Preoperative electrolytes were performed within a week of procedures. Monopolar TURP using 1.5% glycine was performed. Serum Na⁺ and K⁺ were assessed within 1 hour postoperatively and subsequently if clinically indicated. Results. The study included 280 patients. Sixty-six patients (23.6%) had electrolyte derangement after TURP. Patients with deranged electrolytes were older (mean age of 73.41 ± 4.08 yrs. versus 68.93 yrs. ± 10.34) and had a longer mean resection time (42.5 ± 20.04 min versus 28.34 ± 14.64 min). Mean weight of tissue resected (41.49 ± 34.46 g versus 15.33 ± 9.74 g) and volume of irrigant used (23.55 ± 15.20 L versus 12.81 ± 7.57 L) were also significantly higher in patients with deranged electrolytes (all p = 0.00). On multivariate logistic regression analysis preoperative sodium level was found to be a significant predictor of postoperative electrolyte derangement (odds ratio 0.267, S.E. = 0.376, and p value = 0.00). Conclusion. Electrolyte derangement occurs in older patients, with larger amount of tissue and longer time of resection and higher volume of irrigant, and in those with lower serum preoperative sodium levels.

Absorption of irrigation fluid occurs frequently during high power 532 nm laser vaporization of the prostate

PURPOSE

Absorption of irrigation fluid was not detected during GreenLight™ laser vaporization of the prostate using the first generation 80 W laser. However, data are lacking on intraoperative irrigation fluid absorption using the second generation 120 W high power laser. We assessed whether fluid absorption occurs during high power laser vaporization of the prostate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed this prospective investigation at a tertiary referral center in patients undergoing 120 W laser vaporization for prostatic bladder outlet obstruction. Normal saline containing 1% ethanol was used for intraoperative irrigation. The expired breath ethanol concentration was measured periodically during the operation using an alcometer. The volume of saline absorption was calculated from these concentrations. Intraoperative changes in hematological and biochemical blood parameters were also recorded.

RESULTS

Of 50 investigated patients 22 (44%) had a positive breath ethanol test. Median absorption volume in the absorber group was 725 ml (range 138 to 3,452). Ten patients absorbed more than 1,000 ml. Absorbers had a smaller prostate, more capsular perforation, higher bleeding intensity and more laser energy applied during the operation. Three patients (13%) had symptoms potentially related to fluid absorption. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and serum chloride were the only blood parameters that changed significantly in the absorber group. The changes were significantly different than those in nonabsorbers.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluid absorption occurs frequently during high power laser vaporization of the prostate. This should be considered in patients who present with cardiopulmonary or neurological symptoms during or after the procedure.

Prospective evaluation of irrigation fluid absorption during pure transurethral bipolar plasma vaporisation of the prostate using expired-breath ethanol measurements

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if absorption of irrigation fluid occurs during bipolar plasma vaporisation (BPV) of the prostate. To examine the clinical predictors of increased risk of fluid absorption and to assess if changes in serum electrolytes, venous pH, haemoglobin or haematocrit are able to detect intra-operative fluid absorption.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a 15-month period, 55 consecutive patients undergoing BPV of the prostate were investigated. The volume of intra-operative fluid absorption was measured using expired-breath ethanol measurements. Intra-operative irrigation was performed with isotonic saline containing 1% ethanol. The breath ethanol concentration was measured every 10 min during the operation and the volume of irrigation fluid absorption was calculated from these concentrations. Data on clinical (age, prostate volume, smoking status) and surgical variables (operation time, irrigation volume, appearance of capsular perforation) as well as intra-operative changes in serum electrolytes, venous pH, haemoglobin and haematocrit were recorded.

RESULTS

The median (range) age of the patients was 67 (48-87) years and the median (range) prostate volume was 41 (17-111) mL. Nine patients (16%) showed a positive ethanol breath test during the procedure. The median (range) calculated fluid absorption in these patients was 346 (138-2166) mL. Three patients had a fluid absorption >500 mL. One patient with absorption of >2 L showed clinical symptoms (dyspnoea and agitation) during the operation under spinal anaesthesia. In the group of patients with fluid absorption, capsular perforation or injury to larger vessels was more often detectable. In the group of patients with fluid absorption, only venous pH showed a significant change during the operation (from median 7.41 to median 7.34, P = 0.02). The pH decrease was significantly greater in the fluid absorption group than in the group of patients without fluid absorption (0.09 vs. 0.02, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that significant intra-operative fluid absorption can occur during BPV of the prostate. Care must be taken if using this procedure in patients with significant cardiovascular comorbidities. Respecting the anatomical borders of the prostate seems to play a relevant role in preventing fluid absorption during the procedure. Venous pH could be used to detect potentially dangerous fluid absorption if intra-operative monitoring with breath ethanol measurements is not available.

Comparison of hemodynamic profiles in transurethral resection of prostate vs transurethral resection of urinary bladder tumors during spinal anesthesia: a bioimpedance study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is more frequently associated with perioperative fluid and electrolyte disturbances than transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURT) because of irrigating fluid absorption. Because fluid overload may cause hypertension, we compared the patients' intraoperative hemodynamic profiles (including the incidence of hypertension) during TURP vs TURT, both performed during spinal anesthesia, by using the bioimpedance method.

DESIGN

Prospective single-blind study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

80 (40 in each group) men, ASA physical status I and II.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients underwent TURP or TURT surgery with spinal anesthesia.

MEASUREMENTS

Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance were compared between the 2 groups. A mean arterial pressure greater than 30% from the baseline value was considered as hypertension. Plasma sodium was measured preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively.

MAIN RESULTS

Transurethral resection of prostate patients received more irrigating fluid (7900 +/- 2310 vs 5650 +/- 21560, P < 0.05) and had a higher calculated volume of fluid absorbed: 638 +/- 60 vs 303 +/- 40 mL for the TURT patients (P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressures were higher with TURP, 30 minutes after the onset of surgery and at the end of the procedure (111 +/- 15 vs 100 +/- 10 and 109 +/- 14 vs 99 +/- 14 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05). However, there was no hypertension in either group. There were no differences in hemodynamic measurements of hyponatremic vs normonatremic patients. Plasma sodium decreased postoperatively more in the TURP group (140.4 +/- 2.6 mEq/L baseline to 134.1 +/- 3.5 mEq/L, P < 0.05) and was lower postoperatively in the TURP group compared with TURT (134.1 +/- 3.5 vs 137.2 +/- 2.9 mEq/L, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Although more irrigating fluid was absorbed in the TURP group, there were no episodes of hypertension in either group.

Fluid absorption in endoscopic surgery

Fluid absorption is an unpredictable complication of endoscopic surgery. Absorption of small amounts of fluid (1-2 litre) occurs in 5-10% of patients undergoing transurethral prostatic resection and results in an easily overlooked mild transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome. Large-scale fluid absorption is rare but leads to symptoms severe enough to require intensive care. Pathophysiological mechanisms consist of pharmacological effects of the irrigant solutes, the volume effect of the irrigant water, dilutional hyponatraemia and brain oedema. Other less widely known factors include absolute losses of sodium by urinary excretion and morphological changes in the heart muscle, both of which promote a hypokinetic circulation. Studies in animals, volunteers and patients show that irrigation with glycine solution should be avoided. Preventive measures, such as low-pressure irrigation, might reduce the extent of fluid absorption but does not eliminate this complication. Monitoring the extent of absorption during surgery allows control of the fluid balance in the individual patient, but such monitoring is not used widely. However, the anaesthetist must be aware of the symptoms and be able to diagnose this complication. Treatment should be based on administration of hypertonic saline rather than on diuretics. New techniques, such as bipolar resectoscopes and vaporizing instead of resecting tissue, result in a continuous change of the prerequisites for fluid absorption and its consequences.