Monitoring fluid absorption during TURP by marking the irrigating solution with ethanol

Ethanol has been evaluated as a marker of the irrigating fluid during TURP. In nine patients mannitol served as a reference substance (2% ethanol in 5% mannitol) and it could be verified that ethanol enters the body as a result of irrigating fluid absorption. Ethanol is instantly and easily demonstrated in the patient's expired breath with an Alcolmeter. In four healthy volunteers a 500 ml intravenous infusion of the irrigating fluid was given to imitate absorption. These experiments showed that very small amounts gave significant concentrations of ethanol in expired breath and that there was a distinct fall in expired ethanol as soon as the infusion was stopped. Thus marking the irrigating fluid with ethanol is a simple method which may be used to indicate absorption, to follow its course and to tell if preventive steps taken against further absorption are effective.