Irrigation or no irrigation after transurethral prostatectomy?
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.
Britton
J P
JP
Department of Urology, Brighton General Hospital.
Fletcher
M S
MS
Harrison
N W
NW
Royle
M G
MG
D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014546:Urinary Catheterization