Transurethral Resection in benign Prostatic Hyperplasia; An Observational Study Highlighting the Correlation of the Resected Tissue with Electrolytes and Hemoglobin

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation of serum sodium and potassium levels before and after transurethral resection of the prostate with weight of resected tissue in BPH patients. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study was conducted on 75 male patients aged 40-70 years, presenting with benign prostatic hyperplasia and undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate at Department of Urology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro. Ethical permission was taken before conducting this study from the university. Blood samples were obtained before and 24 hours after surgery for assessment of sodium and potassium levels. SPSS version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Pearson Correlation was applied for inferential analysis whereas p-value of < 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: No correlation exist between baseline sodium level before resection(r=0.116 p=0.304) and 24 hours after the resection of prostate (r=0.219, p=0.051) and between baseline potassium level before resection (r=0.059, p=0.604) and 24 hours after the resection of prostate (r=-0.058, p=0.611) whereas moderate negative correlation (r=-0.310, p=0.005) exist between changes in potassium level with respect to weight of resected tissue. No correlation exist between exist between pre-operative hemoglobin level with respect to weight of resected tissue. (r=0.182, p=0.106). Moderate negative correlation (r=-0.309, p=0.005) exist between post-operative hemoglobin level whereas strong positive correlation (r=0.690, p=0.001) exist in operative time with weight of tissue resected. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that moderate negative correlation exists between changes in potassium level and post-operative hemoglobin level and strong positive correlation exists in operative time with respect to weight of resected tissue.