Blood coagulation status after transurethral resection of the prostate

We examined for a possible correlation between coagulopathy and fluid absorption, serum level of prostatic acid phosphatase (S-PAP) and blood loss in 25 patients undergoing transurethral resections of the prostate (TURP). Blood coagulation parameters were measured before and at the end of TURP and 10 and 24 hours later. Fluid absorption was measured by the ethanol method. There was a close correlation between the changes in haemostatic parameters and blood haemoglobin concentration. No relationship was found between the coagulation status and fluid absorption, S-PAP or blood loss during the operation. Fibrinolysis was evidenced by increasing titres of fibrin degradation products in most patients. However, no increase occurred in the two patients who required reoperation because of severe postoperative bleeding, which implies that fewer blood clots were formed in these cases. We conclude that the coagulation parameters during and after TURP varies primarily with the dilution of the blood.