Survival after high-dose intravenous infusion of irrigating fluids in the mouse

Objectives. Fluid absorption is still a potentially fatal complication in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate. We induced experimental overhydration in animals to find out which of three widely used irrigating fluids is most strongly associated with survival. Methods. The survival and incidence of voiding was studied in 120 mice after an intravenous infusion of either 225, 250, 275, or 300 mL/kg of glycine 1.5%, mannitol 5%, or sorbitol 2% plus mannitol 1% over 60 minutes. Results. Only 20% of the animals survived the glycine solution, whereas the overall survival rate after mannitol was 60%. The corresponding figure for sorbitol plus mannitol was 32%. Logistic regression analysis showed that survival was significantly more likely after infusion of mannitol 5% compared with the other irrigating fluids. The likelihood of survival was also higher in the animals in which the infusion induced diuresis and when the smaller volumes of irrigating fluid were given. Conclusions. Mannitol 5% offered the best chance of survival.