Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy Using Normal Saline versus Ringer's Lactate in Pediatric Neurosurgical Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Ringer's lactate (RL) and 0.9% sodium chloride (NS) are used intraoperatively in pediatric surgical patients. The fluid of choice in pediatric neurosurgical patients is still under research. Hence, we compared NS and RL intraoperatively with a primary objective of measuring the absolute difference in serum chloride concentrations (ΔCl-) after surgery from baseline. Secondary objectives included changes in other electrolytes, osmolarity, pH, creatinine, brain relaxation score (BRS), and neurological outcome at discharge using a modified Rankin scale (mRS). Methods This prospective randomized trial was conducted in American Society of Anesthesiologists status I to II children, aged 6 months to 14 years, after Institutional Ethical Committee approval and written informed consent. Forty patients were randomized in group-S (received 0.9% Saline) and group-R (received RL). The fluid administration was guided by Pleth Variability Index (target