BACKGROUND

Early fluid resuscitation is one of the main therapeutic strategies for acute pancreatitis (AP). This study investigated the effects of early aggressive and nonaggressive hydration on AP.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the differences between aggressive and nonaggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation in AP.

DESIGN

This study was based on publicly available data, all of which have been extracted from previous ethically approved studies.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS

Two authors systematically searched PubMed, Embase (via OVID), Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to find all published research before February 2023. In-hospital mortality were set as primary endpoints.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eight cohort studies with 4072 individuals in nonaggressive ( = 2419) and aggressive ( = 1653) hydration groups. The results showed that patients in the nonaggressive group had a lower mortality rate than those in the aggressive hydration group [relative risks (RR), 0.66;  = 0.02]. Subgroup analysis results showed that patients in the nonaggressive hydration group had lower mortality rates in RCTs (RR, 0.39;  = 0.001), studies conducted in Eastern countries (RR, 0.63;  = 0.002), and studies with severe pancreatitis (RR, 0.65;  = 0.02). In addition, the nonaggressive hydration group had lower rates of infection (RR, 0.62;  < 0.001), organ failure (RR, 0.65;  = 0.02), and shock (RR, 0.21;  = 0.02), as well as a shorter hospital stay (weighted mean difference, -1.63;  = 0.001) than the aggressive hydration group.

CONCLUSIONS

Early nonaggressive fluid resuscitation is associated with lower mortality, lower risk of organ failure and infection, and shorter hospital stays than aggressive fluid resuscitation.

REGISTRATION PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023396388.