[Hydroxy-ethyl-starch as plasma substitute in transurethral prostatectomy with the "cold-punch" method (author's transl)].

Each of 24 patients undergoing transurethral prostatectomy under spinal anaesthesia received 1000 ml HES and, depending from the clinical situation, some patients received blood-transfusion. Afterwards two groups were formed: group A (11 patients), who received HES only, and group B (13 Patients) with additional blood-transfusions. The following parameters were monitored simultaneously: blood pressure, heart rate, stroke index, cardiac output, active blood volume, hemoglobin and hematocrit in whole blood as well as in the irrigatin fluid of the bladder. They showed HES to be a useful plasma substitute for older patients. It is well tolerated and has a slow stabilising effect on circulation, which was effective for several hours. Furthermore, HES-infusion reduced the average need of bloodtransfusion by 500 ml.