The use of distilled water as an irrigating fluid in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate

Abstract

Thirty patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate using distilled water as an irrigating fluid were studied. There was no significant change in the serum concentration of the variables studied (preoperatively compared to postoperatively) as possible indicators of haemolysis or absorption of irrigating water such as sodium, potassium, albumin, total protein, creatinine, uric acid, urea, haemoglobin, haematocrit and haptoglobin. The mean value of plasma haemoglobin (P-Hb), observed immediately postoperatively and reflecting the magnitude of haemolysis, was Δ294.8 mg/l. There was a good correlation between P-Hb and the inflowing irrigating distilled water (r = 0.69). The P-Hb variation (Δ) correlated with resection time and with the weight of the resected prostate (r = 0.54 and r = 0.52, respectively). A good correlation was also found between resection time and Δ body weight which reflects the amount of water absorbed (r = 0.67) and between Δ body weight and the inflowing irrigating water (r = 0.61). Our study shows that distilled water can be used as an irrigating fluid quite safely. The advantages of distilled water outweigh the disadvantages which can be avoided easily if proper attention is given.