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Saline Versus Lactated Ringer's Solution: The SOLAR Fluid Trial

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Postoperative Complications
Interventions
Other: Lactated Ringer's solution
Other: Normal saline
Registration Number
NCT02565420
Lead Sponsor
The Cleveland Clinic
Brief Summary

Perioperative volumes of saline cause a mild acidosis compared with buffered fluids. On the other hand, saline administration maintains plasma osmolality and better repletes vascular volume which is an important goal of perioperative fluid administration. Currently, there is no convincing evidence that either saline or buffered solutions are preferable. Consequently, both types of fluid remain in common use at the Clinic and worldwide.

There has never been a large trial of perioperative saline and balanced salt solutions comparing the incidence of major complications including acute kidney injury. The investigators primary objective is thus to determine the relative safety of perioperative saline and lactated Ringer's solution. Specifically, the investigators propose to test the:

1. Primary hypothesis that a composite of major in-hospital postoperative complications is lower in patients given lactated Ringer's solution compared to normal saline.

2. Secondary hypothesis that acute kidney injury, measured by AKIN criteria, is lower in patients given lactated Ringer's solution compared to normal saline.

The acquisition cost of saline and lactated Ringer's solutions is similar in the United States. (Curiously, buffered solutions are far more expensive than saline in Great Britain.) But to the extent that one fluid or the other provokes more complications, cost of care may be increased with that fluid selection. Cost may also be increased by the need for additional electrolyte monitoring and electrolyte replacement.

The investigators will therefore secondarily conduct an economic evaluation to determine the relative incremental hospital cost of each fluid. To the extent that one fluid or the other reduces cost (assuming similar complication rates), the Clinic will be able to reduce cost by specifying the appropriate fluid without impairing quality.

Evidence that one fluid or the other causes few complications would be a strong quality indicator that the Clinic should standardize perioperative fluid selection.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
8616
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients having colorectal or similar surgery
  • Patients having orthopedic or similar surgery
  • Patients 18 years and older
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients under 18 years of age

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SEQUENTIAL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Lactated Ringer's solutionLactated Ringer's solutionDuring the perioperative period of the colorectal, orthopedic or similar surgery the patient will receive an intervention of Lactated Ringer's solution fluids.
normal salineNormal salineDuring the perioperative period of the colorectal, orthopedic or similar surgery the patient will receive an intervention of normal saline solution.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Major Post Operative ComplicationsAfter surgery through hospital discharge

Major complications include in-hospital mortality, renal (AKIN criteria 2+), respiratory, infectious, and hematological complications.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Economic evaluationAfter surgery through hospital discharge

The evaluation will determine the incremental costs between the two interventions; uncomplicated care and care of complications, as well as a combined incremental cost.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

General Anesthesia, Anesthesia Institute

🇺🇸

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

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