Hyponatraemia in the transurethral resection of prostate syndrome.

Abstract

Hyponatraemia due to systemic absorption of the irrigation solution during transurethral resection of the prostrate is a feature of this syndrome. Such hyponatraemia may be either isotonic or hypotonic, and failure to differentiate between them may lead to inappropriate management of the hyponatraemia. We describe a patient in whom isotonic hyponatraemia and pulmonary oedema due to the transurethral resection of prostate syndrome was inappropriately treated using 3% saline, potentially exacerbating his pulmonary oedema.