[Indications and limitations for colloids in interventions and surgery]

Over the last few decades colloids have played an important part in the stabilisation of patients with acute need of intravascular volume replacement. After the 6S and the CHEST trials were published in 2012 and the subsequent recommendations of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there has been some uncertainty about the current clinical relevance and routine use of colloids.

This article summarizes the current evidence and relevance of colloids in the perioperative environment and in the interventional setting on the basis of the recently published German S3-guidelines for volume therapy in adults.

In situations of acute volume resuscitation colloids are still appropriate. Only colloids in balanced solutions should be used. Possible side effects, contraindications and the maximum daily dose have to be taken into consideration when administering colloids.