Restrictive Versus Liberal Fluid Therapy In Major Abdominal Surgery: The RELIEF Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,477,820.00
Summary
Major surgery can result in serious complications, some of which lead to permanent disability and early death. All patients undergoing major surgery require intravenous fluids to maintain a healthy circulation, but too much fluid can cause tissue swelling (oedema) and "drown" the vital organs. There are probable benefits of a restrictive IV fluid regimen. This could have major benefits to patients having surgery.
Advances in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine have resulted in safer care and better quality outcomes for patients having major surgery. Such advances need to be based on good quality evidence, coming from large randomised clinical trials. This research program will study, publish and disseminate information from studies of new drugs and techniques that improve the care of patients undergoing surgery.