[Safety of 5% dextrose as distending medium during transcervical resection of endometrium]

To observe the changes of plasma electrolytes and osmolarity during and after transcervical resection of endometrium using 5% dextrose solution as distending medium.

We used 5% dextrose solution as distending medium for 500 cases of operative hysteroscopy. Plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose concentrations and plasma osmolarity were measured before, at the end of 1 hour, 4 hours and the day after operation respectively in 22 cases.

None of the 500 cases presented with transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) syndrome. No apparent change were found in plasma sodium, chloride concentrations and plasma osmolarity. Plasma potassium concentration decreased gradually but significantly 4 hours after surgery. The elevation of plasma glucose concentration was significant and was positively correlated with the absorption of 5% dextrose. All changes of plasma electrolytes and osmolarity restored in the next morning. It was 1 hour after surgery that the lowest plasma sodium, potassium concentration as well as the highest plasma glucose concentration appeared. Therefore, it is important to observe patient 1 hour after operation.

5% dextrose solution, used as the distending medium, is safe and inexpensive, and could be widely applied in transcervical resection of endometrium.