A study of intraoperative plasma expansion with a balanced electrolyte solution.

Abstract

We have found plasma expansion with a balanced electrolyte solution to be a useful method of avoiding intraoperative whole blood replacement in selected cases with moderate operative blood loss (< 25 per cent). In the cases under review the amount infused during the operative period equalled three times the blood loss, and at the end of the operative day four times the blood loss had been given. We found that 20 per cent of the solution administered was intravascular at the end of operation and 25 per cent by the end of the operative day. Intravascular retention is, however, biased by preoperative deficits, tissue sequestration, and insensible losses. Blood volume expansion was 84 per cent complete by 24 hours, and a considerable expansion of interstitial fluid volume was found to persist up to 48 hours. Because of this we have limited this technique to reasonably healthy surgical patients without cardiopulmonary disease.