Avoiding the Obturator Jerk during TURBT

Discussion:TURBT is a relatively common urological operation performed to remove tumors of the bladder. Every measure should be taken to avoid serious complications from both anesthesia and surgery. Surgical measures to reduce the likelihood of an obturator jerk include reducing the diathermy current, avoiding over-distention bladder, and using bipolar diathermy as opposed to monopolar diathermy (although there is conficting evidence for this in the literature). Anesthetists should consider the use of neuromuscular blockade or an obturator nerve block to reduce the incidence of obturator jerk and risk of bladder perforation.Curr Urol 2018;12:1-5
Source: Current Urology - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research