Safety of mineral water as an irrigating fluid during transurethral resection of prostate

To assess the safety, efficacy and results of drinking mineral water as an irrigating fluid in Trans-Urethral Resection of Prostate (TURP). A total of 400 patients who underwent TURP. Detailed data of the patients was collected. All underwent TURP using drinking mineral water as an irrigating fluid. Details of the operation and the outcome were noted in each case. Excellent electro-resection and haemostasis was observed in almost all cases. The optical clarity of the mineral water was also very good. The mean resection time was one hour and the mean irrigating fluid volume 28 liters. The mineral water is a hypotonic solution, containing very low content of minerals, but no significant complications were observed in terms of haemorrhage and only six cases of TUR syndrome were noted. The mean weight of the resected tissue was 45 gms, mean post-operative irrigation time 22 hours, and the mean hospital stay 4.3 days. Drinking mineral water used as an irrigating fluid; is safe and inexpensive, and could be widely used in TURP; especially where glycine and other solutions are either non-available or pose financial strain. (author)