Background: Although transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) using saline as irrigant solution (TURis) is reported to reduce intraoperative hyponatremia, careful management during operation is needed to avoid complications caused by possible massive absorption of irrigant solution.

Methods: To find out the detectors of fluid absorption during TURP using TURis system, intraoperative data of hemodynamics and serum electrolytes in 11 patients who had TURP using TURis system were retrospectively collected and statistically analyzed.

Results: During TURP using TURis system, serum chloride (s-Cl) significantly increased (before/60 min after beginning of operation: 99.4 +/- 2.8/104.2 +/- 5.1 mEq x l(-1), mean +/- SD). Intraoperative changes in s-Cl had strong correlations with changes in base excess, serum potassium, hematocrit and central venous pressure.

Conclusions: Our results suggested intravenous absorption of saline solution during operation. Serum chloride concentration can be a useful detector of irrigant solution absorption during TURP using TURis system.