[Perioperative goal-directed fluid therapy: grand progress and controversy]

Fluid therapy is one of the most controversial topics in perioperative management. Current perioperative fluid therapy is largely based on concepts developed restricted and liberal perioperative fluid administration in the late 1950s and 1960s. However, there are increasing reports of perioperative excessive intravascular volume leading to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. The concept of individualized goal-directed therapy in surgical patients seems to be an important component for optimization of perioperative fluid management in high-risk surgical patients.