Two cases of atypical transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome occurring during the post-operative course are reported. Atypical clinical events such as confusion, drowsiness and sudden hypotension could not be explained by the amount of glycine fluid absorption, because in both cases this was less than 1000 mL. However, high serum concentrations of glycine were noted without marked hyponatraemia and with normal measured osmolalities. We suggest that the absorption of glycine is related to its high lipid solubility rather than to its direct passage through an evident prostatic effraction or periprostatic extravasation.