Perioperative Fluid Management in Morbidly Obese Patients

The individualized goal-directed therapy (IGDT), with focus on level of venous return, will be implemented in two steps in the intervention group. First, preoperative optimizing of venous return will be performed 45 minutes before surgery in a preoperative room with TTE. Second, after induction of anaesthesia perioperative fluid therapy will be guided by utilizing the FloTrac-device.

Preoperative rehydration with 6 ml colloid fluids (Volulyte™, Fresenius Kabi Ab, Sweden) /kg estimated ideal body weight (IBW) will be administrated if low level of venous return is detected by TTE. After a colloid bolus the second TTE is performed to check the level of venous return. If remaining hypovolemia is found additional colloids 3ml/ kg IBW will be given.

In OR, before pneumoperitoneum, prophylactic i.v. antibiotics will be administrated in total 550ml crystalloids (NaCl 0.9%, Fresenius Kabi Ab, Sweden) to all patients. Infusion of buffered glucose solution (25mg/ml, Fresenius Kabi Ab, Sweden) at rate 1.5ml/kg IBW/h will be initiated to all patients. Stroke volume variation ≥ 12 % is used as a threshold for administration of additional colloids 3ml/kg/ IBW during surgery.

Postoperatively infusion of buffered glucose solution (50mg/ml) is administrated at fixed rate 100ml/h to all patients. In addition, during the stay at the postoperative ward unit 850 ml crystalloids (antibiotics, paracetamol and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs) are infused.

Perioperative ephedrine and/or phenylephrine is used as i.v. injection when necessary to ensure adequate perfusion pressure (MAP ≥ 65 mmHg), cardiac index (≥ 2.0) and heart rate (≥ 50/min) in addition to i.v. fluids in both groups. In principle hemodynamic parameters will be gathered always after five minutes minimum from possible administration of i.v. ephedrine or phenylephrine. Moreover, if pre-existing systolic left ventricular failure is detected in preoperative TTE, infusion of dobutamine 3 - 4ug/kg IBW will be started 10 minutes before induction of anaesthesia.

In the control group perioperative cardiovascular monitoring will be conducted by ECG, non-invasive blood pressure and Sp02 measurements.

Inclusion criteria

• accepted for bariatric surgery; BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. Written informed consent. Successful preparation by 3 weeks rapid-weight-loss diet before surgery (≥ 5% loss of weight)

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with untreated systemic or pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, pacemaker, unstable angina pectoris and significant failure of heart valves.