Goal-directed fluid therapy using stroke volume variation on length of stay and postoperative gastrointestinal function after major abdominal surgery-a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) in promoting postoperative recovery remains unclear, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GDFT on length of hospital stay and postoperative recovery of GI function in patients undergoing major abdominal oncologic surgery. METHODS: In this randomized, double- blinded, controlled trial, adult patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery with general anesthesia, were randomly divided into the GDFT protocol (group G) or conventional fluid therapy group (group C). Patients in group C underwent conventional fluid therapy based on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and central venous pressure (CVP) whereas those in group G received GDFT protocol associated with the SVV less than 12% and the cardiac index (CI) was controlled at a minimum of 2.5 L/min/m(2). The primary outcomes were the length of hospital stay and postoperative GI function. RESULTS: One hundred patients completed the study protocol. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in group G compared with group C [9.0 ± 5.8 days versus 12.0 ± 4.6 days, P = 0.001]. Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (POGD) occurred in two of 50 patients (4%) in group G and 16 of 50 patients (32%) in the control group (P < 0.001). GDFT significantly also shorten time to first flatus by 11 h (P = 0.009) and time to first tolerate oral diet by 2 days (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Guided by SVV and CI, the application of GDFT has the potential to expedite postoperative recovery of GI function and reduce hospitalization duration after major abdominal surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov on 07/05/2019 with registration number: NCT03940144. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-023-02360-1.