Safety of distilled water as an irrigating fluid for transurethral resection of the prostate

Abstract

Background. Irrigating fluid is necessary for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Initially, distilled water was used as irrigating fluid and some advantages and complications were noted. Although other solutions were used to substitute for distilled water, we collected data for changes in electrolytes and hematocrit (Hct) during surgery to evaluate the safety of distilled water as irrigating fluid for TURP with suprapubic trocar cystostomy. Methods. Fifty-three patients who underwent TURP using distilled water as irrigating fluid were investigated. TURP was performed with suprapubic trocar cystostomy routinely. Preoperative and postoperative blood samples were collected and analyzed for electrolytes and Hct to study any changes during surgery. Results. The change in plasma sodium concentration was not statistically significant, but the decreases in blood Hct and plasma potassium concentration were statistically significant. There was no major operative complication and no clinical-evident related postoperative renal impairment. Conclusions. Distilled water is a relatively safe solution as an irrigating fluid for TURP under drainage with suprapubic trocar cystostomy, but attention must be paid to the inevitable blood loss during surgery.