The concept of titration can be transposed to fluid management. but does is change the volumes? randomised trial on pleth variability index during fast-track colonic surgery.

BACKGROUND

The concept of drug titration emerged recently for intraoperative fluid administration during Fast-Track colonic surgery to avoid hypovolemia as well as excessive crystalloid administration. The Pleth Variability Index (PVI) is an oximeter-derived parameter. It allows a continuous monitoring of the respiratory variation of the perfusion index.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if applying the concept of fluid titration with PVI-guided colloid administration conjointly with restricted crystalloids administration changes the amount of fluid administered. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PATIENTS: Twenty one ASA 2 patients scheduled for Fast-Track colonic surgery were randomized in two groups: the PVI-guided the fluid management group and the the control group.

INTERVENTION AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

After the induction of general anesthesia, the PVI group received a 10 mL.kg- 1.h-1 infusion of crystalloid during the first hour, reduced to 2 mL.kg-1.h-1 thereafter. Colloids 250 mL were administered if necessary to maintain a PVI value of 10 to 13%. In the control group, a 10 mL.kg-1.h-1 infusion of crystalloid during the first hour was followed by a 5 mL.kg-1.h-1 infusion. Boluses of 250 mL of colloids were administered if required to maintain the mean arterial pressure above 65 mmHg.

RESULTS

Intraoperative crystalloids infused volume were significantly lower in the PVI group (925+/-262 mL vs 1129+/- 160 mL; P=0.04). In contrast, the infused amounts of colloids was higher in the PVI group (725+/-521 mL vs 250+/-224 mL; P=0.01). Interestingly, total fluid amount infused intra- ant postoperatively were similar between the groups (1650+/- 807 mL vs 1379+/-186 mL; P=0.21).

CONCLUSION

PVI-guided fluid management in Fast-Track colonic surgery is not necessarily associated with different total volume infused.