Fiekabo Ogan¹, John E. Raphael^2,

Background: There are many options for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They include medical treatment with alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, minimally invasive therapy, endoscopic and open surgical surgery. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard for treating patients with BPH. Monopolar resection is the most available method of endoscopic treatment of prostate enlargement. Successful outcome requires a good understanding of the prostate gland and the peculiarities of the procedure. TURP syndrome is one of the most significant and limiting complications of monopolar TURP. We aim to highlight the pertinent anaesthesia considerations during monopolar TURP and the aetiology, presentation and management of TURP syndrome. Methods: We reviewed the anaesthesiology aspects of monopolar TURP at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt Rivers, Nigeria and considered pre-anaesthetic clinical concerns, along with the preoperative preparation and approach. The equipment and accessories for the procedure were identified, along with the intraoperative techniques for performing monopolar TURP, emphasizing the anaesthetic considerations. We then performed a literature review using Medline, PubMed, Google Scholars search engines; and discussed the primary concerns during monopolar TURP and the perioperative management of TURP syndrome. Conclusion: Administration of anaesthesia for patients undergoing monopolar TURP involves applying relevant anaesthetic principles and understanding the nuances of the procedure. Proactive measures, adequate perioperative evaluation and monitoring, and prompt diagnosis and treatment are pertinent to avoid potentially fatal TURP syndrome.

Anaesthesia, BPH, monopolar TURP, TURP syndrome, urology