Automated Closed-Loop Versus Restrictive Fluid Therapy in Abdominal Surgery: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Perioperative fluid management is a topic of much debate that has intensified over recent years. Studies have shown improved postoperative outcomes with restricted fluid administration in the perioperative period for moderate risk abdominal surgery. They concluded that in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery, intraoperative restrictive fluid management was associated with a reduction in postoperative morbidity and shortened hospital stay. Current standard practice is a crystalloid based fluid therapy guided by static hemodynamic parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and diuresis. However, several studies have criticized this cookbook approach and recommend tailoring management to specific physiologic dynamic endpoints such as stroke volume variation and cardiac output using a flow monitoring device. Our team has demonstrated that the use of a closed-loop system is feasible and allows precise titration of fluid administration in abdominal and vascular surgery using either a minimally or a non-invasive monitoring system.

Goal:

This study compares hemodynamic variables and outcome in patients who will receive either automated closed-loop fluid therapy guided by non-invasive flow monitoring or restrictive fluid therapy of 4ml/kg/h. Both groups consist of the same population undergoing laparoscopic and/or robotic surgery.