Perioperative fluid management is a mandatory element of anesthesia in children. However, the need for preoperative infusion to eliminate the negative effects of preoperative fasting in elective surgery is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of preoperative fluid management on water body sectors taking into account duration of refusal of food and fluid in children scheduled for elective surgeries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 39 children aged 3—18 years divided into 2 groups: group I — preoperative infusion of Ringer’s solution, group II — infusion of Sterofundin G-5 5 ml/kg. Water body sectors were assessed using bioimpedance analyzer at 4 stages: 90 min before surgery, immediately after infusion (30 min before entering the operating theater), 30 min and 24 hours after surgery.

RESULTS

Immediately after infusion, HR was lower (79.9 vs 88.6 beats per minute; p=0.001) while diastolic (69.6 vs 63.5 mmHg; p=0.001) and mean BP (84.5 vs 79.3 mmHg; p=0.022) were higher in the 2^nd group. In the same group, glycaemia was higher in 24 h after surgery (6.87 vs 5.6 mmol/L; p=0.044). Preoperative fasting for more than 12 hours was accompanied by lower fluid content in all body sectors. There were no differences in indicators of water sectors depending on solution. Electrolyte composition data were normal in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative fluid administration does not significantly affect water metabolism regardless of duration of preoperative fasting in the absence of obvious fluid deficiency before surgery. Preoperative infusion of Sterofundin G-5 is associated with higher glycaemia 24 hours after surgery.