Comparison of Fluid Resuscitation with Lactate Ringer's Versus Normal Saline in Acute Pancreatitis: An Updated Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Fluid resuscitation is one of the main therapies for acute pancreatitis (AP). There is still no consensus on the type of fluid resuscitation. This study investigated the differences between lactate Ringer's (LR) and normal saline (NS) in treating AP.

METHODS

Two authors systematically searched Web of Science, Embase (via OVID), Cochrane Library, and PubMed to find all published research before July, 2023. The odds of moderately severe/severe AP and intensive care unit (ICU) admission are set as primary endpoints.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included 5 RCTs and 4 observational studies with 1424 AP patients in LR (n = 651) and NS (n = 773) groups. The results suggested that the odds of moderately severe/severe AP (OR 0.48; 95%Cl 0.34 to 0.67; P < 0.001) and ICU admission (OR 0.37; 95%Cl 0.16 to 0.87; P = 0.02) were lower in the LR group compared to NS group. In addition, the LR group had lower rates of local complications (OR 0.54; 95%Cl 0.32 to 0.92; P = 0.02), lower level of CRP, as well as a shorter hospital stay (WMD, - 1.09 days; 95%Cl - 1.72 to - 0.47 days; P < 0.001) than the NS group. Other outcomes, such as mortality, the rate of organ failure, SIRS, acute fluid collection, pancreatic necrosis, pseudocysts, and volume overload, did not differ significantly between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

LR is preferred over NS as it decreases the odds of moderately severe/severe AP, the rate of ICU admission, local complication, and length of hospital stay. However, large-scale RCT are lacking to support these evidence.

Lactate Ringer's Versus Normal Saline in the Management of Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Fluid therapy plays a critical role in the management of acute pancreatitis. Normal saline (NS) is commonly used in these patients. However, Lactate Ringer's (LR) has also been shown to be useful for this condition.

AIM

To assess the effect of LR compared to NS in patients with acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

We searched in three electronic databases from inception to December 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Outcomes were mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospital stay, and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) at 24, 48, and 72 h. The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. All meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Four RCTs comprising 248 patients were included. The mean age ranged from 42.3 to 63.8 years and 49% of patients were men. Patients treated with LR had similar risk of mortality (risk ratio [RR], 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-3.00) and SIRS at 24 h (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.32-1.51), 48 h (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.46-1.41), and 72 h (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.37-1.25) compared to NS. LR had significantly lower hospital stay (mean difference, - 1.10; 95% CI, - 1.92 to - 0.28) and lower risk of ICU admission (RR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.20-0.89) compared to NS. The risk of bias was low in nearly all RCTs.

CONCLUSION

No differences were found in the mortality and SIRS at 24, 48, and 72 h in patients treated with LR and NS. In contrast, patients who received LR had a lower risk of ICU admission and lower hospital stay than NS.