The Safety of Ethanol-Tagged Glycine for Monitoring Fluid Absorption During Hysteroscopy

We assessed the value of expired breath ethanol as a marker of 1% ethanol-tagged 1.5% glycine irrigating fluid absorption during hysteroscopic surgery in a prospective analysis of 48 women. Expired breath ethanol and venous blood samples were taken before and at 10-minute intervals during surgery. Volumetric absorption of irrigating fluid was checked at the same time. There was a linear positive correlation (r = 0.86, p <0.001) between direct absorption of the irrigating fluid and expired breath ethanol concentration. Prediction can be given with 95% confidence that if the alcohol meter reading is below 0.45 mg/ml, the volume of irrigating fluid absorbed is below 2000 ml. There was no significant correlation between expired breath ethanol and indirect fluid absorption. As it is not possible to distinguish direct and indirect fluid absorption during hysteroscopic surgery, the measurement of expired breath ethanol is insufficient to assess overall fluid balance, and continuous volumetric assessment is still required.