TUR syndrome and endoscopic transanal resection: no evidence for a clinically important association in 38 procedures.
BACKGROUND
The TUR syndrome is well described after transurethral resection of the prostate. Endoscopic transanal resection (ETAR) is increasingly used to remove rectal lesions.


METHODS
A prospective study of 38 ETARs in 21 patients was carried out over 2 years. Each patient was observed for symptoms and signs of TUR syndrome, and each had serial venous blood sampling and subsequent biochemical and haematological analysis during the perioperative period.


RESULTS
No symptoms or signs typical of TUR syndrome were recorded. However, analysis of the biochemical variables using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance showed that there were statistically significant (P < 0.05) subclinical changes during the 24 h following the procedure affecting levels of serum sodium, potassium, total protein, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, glycine, ammonia and serum osmolality.


CONCLUSIONS
The changes in the electrolyte concentrations, although statistically significant, were not of the same magnitude as described previously in the TUR syndrome. The risk of a TUR-type syndrome in ETAR is small and serial blood tests, as detailed above, may safely be omitted.
Boyle
J R
JR
Department of Surgery, Leicester General Hospital Trust, UK.
Thompson
M M
MM
Lopez
B
B
Twist
M H
MH
Kelly
M J
MJ
D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005998:Glycine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013577:Syndrome; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D005998:Glycine