Monitoring fluid absorption using 1% ethanol-tagged glycine during operative hysteroscopy.

STUDY

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of expired breath ethanol as a marker of irrigating fluid absorption during hysteroscopic surgery using 1% ethanol-tagged 1.5% glycine.

DESIGN

Prospective analysis.

SETTING

Endoscopy training center of a university hospital.

PATIENTS: Forty-eight women undergoing major hysteroscopic surgery for menorrhagia (40 transcervical endometrial resections, 8 rollerball endometrial ablations).

INTERVENTIONS: Expired breath ethanol and venous blood samples were taken before and at 10-minute intervals during surgery. Volumetric absorption of irrigating fluid was checked at the same time.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN

RESULTS

Expired breath ethanol concentration, serum ethanol, several biochemical variables, and volume of absorbed irrigating fluid (direct and indirect) were measured. There was a linear positive correlation (r = 0.86, p <0.001) between direct vascular absorption of the irrigating fluid and expired breath ethanol concentration. Prediction can be given with 95% confidence that if the alcolmeter reading is below 0.45%, the volume of irrigating fluid absorbed is below 2000 ml. No significant correlation was seen between expired breath ethanol and indirect fluid absorption.

CONCLUSIONS

As it is not possible to distinguish direct and indirect fluid absorption during hysteroscopic surgery, measuring expired breath ethanol is insufficient to assess overall fluid balance, and continuous volumetric assessment is still required.