Acute hyponatremia associated with transurethral surgery

Patients undergoing transurethral surgery, including resection of the prostate (TURP), are at risk for development of severe water intoxication and dilution of serum electrolytes, even when glycine-containing irrigating solutions are used. Three cases are reported to illustrate the problem of acute severe dilutional hyponatremia (serum sodium less than 100 mEq/L) associated with transurethral surgery, and to review management.