"TUR syndrome" after transurethral resection of the prostate using suprapubic drainage

In a retrospective study of 522 consecutive patients who were subjected to transurethral resection of the prostate with suprapubic trocar technique, six patients were suspected of having transurethral prostatic resection syndrome. The majority of the transurethral resections were performed by surgical or urological trainees. Only two patients fulfilled the criterion for TUR syndrome caused by absorption of irrigating fluid and defined as an electrolyte dilution corresponding to a plasma sodium level below 120 mmol/l. In the present paper the symptomatology and treatment of TUR syndrome are outlined with reference to the literature. The trocar technique clearly has minimized the risk of TUR syndrome, which emphasizes the value of the method.