Clinical experience with electrolyte flux after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in selected private clinics in Port Harcourt Nigeria

Background: As men age towards the fifth decade, the prostate enlarges and occasionally could become a source of urinary tract obstruction requiring advanced technology with attendant risks to relieve obstruction. Aim: To study the electrolyte changes in patients presenting for TURP. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive design, conducted at selected private hospitals with standard endourology services in PortHarcourt between June 5, 2018, to June 30, 2024. Adult males aged ≥47 years with prostate volumes ≥ 80 grams, scheduled for monopolar Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) were recruited. Data were retrieved retrospectively from theatre register, patients’ files, laboratory and ward registers. Demographic variables, preoperative and postoperative electrolyte values, resection time, total volume of water consumed were retrieved. A sample size of 246 patients was determined using the Cochrane formula for estimating a single population proportion. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.1. Results: Two hundred and forty-six patient records were analysed with 165 having complete data representing 67.07%. The mean age was 69 ± 5.0 years. Range 47-92 years. The Mean volume of water used was 35± 2.3litres and the duration of resection was 90±3.4 mins. Hyponatremia was noticed in 30(18.2%) postoperatively and clinically presented as Nausea, vomiting, hypoxaemia and restlessness. Duration of resection, increased volume of irrigation fluid were risk factors. Managed with 3% sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and normal saline. Conclusion: Hyponatremia is a common complication of TURP with monopolar resection using water or glycine. It is imperative to measure electrolyte level before and after TURP.