Body temperature changes during prostatic resection as related to the temperature of the irrigating solution

The degree of hypothermia induced by transurethral resection of the prostate was determined in 60 patients irrigated with solutions at temperatures of 68 to 100F. Progressive cooling was seen in all patients except those irrigated with solutions at or near body temperature. No adverse effects were seen with the use of warm solutions but cool solutions caused shivering in 16% of the patients, particularly patients of small stature who were subjected to longer than average resection times. Since shivering increases oxygen requirements significantly and may even precipitate cardiac arrhythmias in susceptible individuals, consideration should be given to the use of warmed irrigating solutions in these patients.