Fluid management in surgical patients

Abstract

Fluid administration and resuscitation are an integral part in the management of surgical patients and the choice of fluids in any given situation is a topic of much debate. Understanding body fluid distribution by compartments enables the clinician to assess an individual´s deficits during critical illness or surgery, and to replace losses with the appropriate resuscitative fluid. Normal physiology is well understood, but patterns of fluid deficits and distributions remain controversial in some critically ill patients. This has resulted in some controversy concerning appropriate use of crystalloids and colloids in critical illness. We present a review and guide to perioperative fluid management of adult and pediatric surgical patients, including preoperative, intra and postoperative replacement.