[Catabolism of glycine used in lavage solutions in urologic surgery. Apropos of a prospective study of 20 patients undergoing endourethral resection of the prostate].

A prospective study was carried out on 20 patients admitted for transurethral prostatic resection, measuring renal function, body hydratation and levels of glycine metabolic products. This study has shown that only the haematocrit measurement during surgery allowed the early and reliable recognition of resorption of the solution. High glycine levels after resorption were reduced by increasing urinary excretion of glycine, serine, creatinine and to a lesser extent, threonine. The increased production of oxalate, another elimination pathway, leads to a urinary saturation with consequent risk of lithogenesis. Furthermore, this hyperoxaluria may cause an intersticial nephropathy as do the other secondary hyperoxalurias, including Crohn's disease, bowel by-pass or xylitol intoxication.