Your Surgery Depends on a Solution That's Hard to Find

If you or a loved one has a transurethral surgery or hysteroscopy coming up, you may have already heard the frustrating news: Mannitol/Sorbitol irrigation solution is in short supply. This sterile surgical fluid — essential for procedures like TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) — has been on allocation from its sole U.S. manufacturer, ICU Medical, since the major IV fluid shortage began in late 2024.

But a shortage doesn't mean it's impossible to find. In this guide, we'll share practical tips and tools to help you (or your surgical team) locate Mannitol/Sorbitol in stock near you.

Not sure why it's in shortage? Read our explainer: Why is Mannitol/Sorbitol so hard to find?

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Check Real-Time Availability

The fastest way to find Mannitol/Sorbitol in stock is to use Medfinder. Our platform tracks medication availability across pharmacies and healthcare facilities, so you can see which locations near you currently have supply — without spending hours on the phone.

Here's how to use it:

1. Visit medfinder.com
2. Search for "Mannitol/Sorbitol" or "Sorbitol-Mannitol Irrigation"
3. Enter your zip code to see nearby facilities with current inventory
4. Contact the facility directly to confirm availability and schedule your procedure

Because Mannitol/Sorbitol is a hospital-use surgical product (not a retail pharmacy item), availability is tied to surgical facilities and hospital pharmacies rather than your local drugstore.

Tip 2: Check With Independent and Specialty Surgical Centers

Large hospital systems often have more predictable supply chains because they have bulk purchasing agreements with manufacturers. But that doesn't mean they always have better availability. In some cases, independent ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and specialty urology clinics may have found alternative sourcing channels.

Here's why independents can sometimes help:

• Smaller facilities may have lower allocation needs, meaning their limited supply goes further
• Some ASCs work with specialty distributors that maintain separate inventory from the major hospital group purchasing organizations (GPOs)
• Urology-focused clinics may prioritize stocking urologic irrigation solutions because it's their core business

Ask your urologist or gynecologist if they perform procedures at multiple facilities — one location may have supply when another doesn't.

Tip 3: Time Your Procedure Strategically

This might sound unusual for a medical procedure, but timing can matter when supplies are limited:

• Early in the month: Many allocation cycles reset monthly. Facilities may have better supply at the beginning of a new allocation period.
• Mid-week: Surgical schedules tend to be heaviest on Mondays and Tuesdays. If your procedure is elective, scheduling later in the week may mean less competition for limited irrigation fluid inventory.
• Ask about scheduling flexibility: Let your surgeon's scheduler know you're willing to take a cancellation slot. If another patient's surgery is postponed, yours might be moved up.

What If You Still Can't Find It?

If Mannitol/Sorbitol remains unavailable for your procedure, don't panic. There are real alternatives your surgeon can consider:

Alternative Irrigation Solutions

• Glycine 1.5% — The most commonly used alternative for monopolar TURP. It works well, though it carries a slightly higher risk of neurological side effects (like temporary visual changes) if large amounts are absorbed.
• Normal Saline (0.9% Sodium Chloride) — Can be used if your surgeon has bipolar resectoscope equipment. Saline is widely available and eliminates the risk of dilutional hyponatremia, but it's only compatible with bipolar instruments.
• Sterile Water for Irrigation — Less commonly used due to the risk of intravascular hemolysis, but may be appropriate in certain situations.

For a deeper look at these options, read our full guide: Alternatives to Mannitol/Sorbitol.

Ask About Bipolar Technology

One of the most important developments in urologic surgery has been the shift from monopolar to bipolar resectoscopes. Bipolar instruments allow surgeons to use normal saline as the irrigating fluid instead of nonelectrolytic solutions like Mannitol/Sorbitol or Glycine. If your surgeon's facility has bipolar equipment, the Mannitol/Sorbitol shortage may not affect your procedure at all.

Consider a Different Facility

If your surgeon operates at multiple hospitals or surgery centers, ask which one currently has the best irrigation solution supply. Some facilities within the same health system may have different allocation levels or alternative products available.

You can also use Medfinder to compare availability across facilities in your area.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About the Shortage

Your surgical team is likely already aware of the shortage, but it helps to be proactive. Here are some questions you can ask:

• "Does your facility currently have Mannitol/Sorbitol in stock for my procedure?"
• "If not, what alternative irrigation solution would you recommend?"
• "Do you have access to bipolar equipment that would allow use of normal saline?"
• "Is there a different surgical facility where we could schedule my procedure sooner?"

Being an informed patient helps your team plan better and may get you into the operating room faster.

Need help finding a doctor who can prescribe or perform your procedure? Check out our guide: How to find a doctor who can prescribe Mannitol/Sorbitol near you.

Final Thoughts

Finding Mannitol/Sorbitol in stock takes more effort than it should in 2026, but you have more options than you might think. Between real-time inventory tools like Medfinder, alternative irrigation solutions, and the growing availability of bipolar surgical technology, most patients can still get the procedures they need — even during a shortage.

Stay informed, stay in contact with your surgical team, and don't hesitate to explore all your options. For the latest on the shortage, visit our Mannitol/Sorbitol shortage update for 2026.