Less fluid during surgery may lead to better recovery

NCT ID NCT01424150

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Bayside Health Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether giving less fluid during major abdominal surgery helps patients recover better than giving more fluid. Over 3,000 adults having elective abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to either a restrictive (less than 2 liters per day) or liberal (about 6 liters per day) fluid plan. The main goal was to see which group had better disability-free survival up to one year after surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: intravenous fluids (restrictive vs liberal protocol)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could establish a standard for how much fluid to give during major abdominal surgery, potentially reducing complications and improving recovery.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, so results are already known. However, the optimal fluid strategy may still depend on individual patient factors and surgical context, limiting broad applicability.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ABDOMINAL SURGERY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Alfred Hospital

Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia

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