Lactated Ringer Solution Is Superior to Normal Saline Solution in Managing Acute Pancreatitis: An Updated...

The goal of this study was to further determine the role of lactated Ringer (LR) compared with normal saline (NS) in managing acute pancreatitis (AP) as a consideration of fluid resuscitation.

Fluid resuscitation play a critically important role in managing AP, and NS and LR solutions were common selection in clinical practice. However, it remains debate about which regime may be more better for patients with AP.

The PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were searched to find eligible randomized controlled trials focusing on the comparative efficacy and safety of LR and NS for the management of patients with AP.

Four eligible randomized controlled trials involving 248 patients to perform meta-analysis finally. Meta-analysis suggested no statistical difference between LR and NS groups in reducing the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome at 24 hours [risk ratio (RR)=0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.33-1.31, P=0.24], 48 hours (RR=0.70, 95% CI=0.29-1.68, P=0.42), and 72 hours (RR=0.68, 95% CI=0.37-1.25, P=0.22). Meanwhile, no statistical difference was detected between LR and NS groups in terms of in-hospital mortality, incidence of local complications, pancreatic necrosis, organ failure, and developing moderate-to-severe AP, and the length of hospital stay. However, incidence of intensive care unit admission in LR group was significantly lower than that in NS group (RR=0.39, 95% CI=0.18-0.85; P=0.02).

The current updated meta-analysis indicates that LR may be superior to NS in managing patients with AP because of LR has a potential advantage in decreasing the incidence of pancreatic necrosis and intensive care unit admission compared with NS.