title: Irrigation or no irrigation after transurethral prostatectomy?
abstract: Urologists remain divided as to the need for routine irrigation following transurethral prostatectomy (TURP). This randomised prospective study compared a policy of irrigation with that of no irrigation in a consecutive group of 200 patients undergoing TURP. In the irrigation group, a mean of 15 litres of irrigating fluid was used in each patient and one-third of patients required at least one bladder washout. In the no irrigation group, although two-thirds of the patients required at least one bladder washout, only one-third required more than one washout. No significant difference in blood loss, electrolyte balance, infection rate or recovery was seen in the 2 groups. This study led to a local change in practice, converting from a policy of routine irrigation to one of no irrigation.
authors: Department of Urology, Brighton General Hospital.
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Britton
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Fletcher
authors: N W
authors: NW
authors: Harrison
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Royle
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014546:Urinary Catheterization