Complications of transurethral prostatic surgery.

THERE A~E probably very few operations in which a patient can be subjected to such a large number of unphysiological insults at one time as during a transurethral prostatectomy. The experienced resectionist and the well-trained anaesthetist have little trouble in recognizing and managing the problems if and when they occur, but for the occasional resectionist and the resident in training the early recognition of these problems is imperative. In reviewing the literature over the past twenty years, there can be no question that a great deal of research has been carried out in this area, and several interesting review articles have been written. That by Marx and Orkin 1 is of particular interest. Since its publication, much of the work has been redone in this centre and, while confirming the work done by other investigators, we have added some of our own ideas and findings. As a result, it has now become possible to describe with some accuracy the physiopathological state often seen when overhydration occurs in these patients ( Fig. 1).