Lung Ultrasound Assisted Comparison of Volume Effects of Fluid Replacement Regimens in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Penile Hypospadias Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Effective perioperative fluid therapy is a great consideration.

Objectives: Using lung ultrasound (LUS), this study evaluated the preference of the conventional and restrictive fluid replacement regimens for their volume impact in pediatric patients undergoing a relatively long procedure with limited volume loss (hypospadias repair).

Methods: Eighty pediatric patients scheduled for hypospadias repair surgery were enrolled for conventional (CG) or restrictive fluid management groups (RG). The CG obtained Ringer's lactate at the conventional calculated doses, while the RG obtained infusion of Ringer's lactate at a rate of 3 mL/kg/h. B-line numbers in the LUS, recovery score, urine output, blood pressure (BP), heart rate HR, and oxygen saturation (SpO) were recorded.

Results: As evidenced by the LUS, RG showed a higher incidence of normal lung morphology with a mean and SD of 1.3 ± 2.2 for B-line numbers, whereas, in CG, they were 3.1 ± 2.2 with a P-value < 0.001. Urine output was 3.2 ± 0.8 and 2.9 ± 0.7 for CG and RG, respectively, with a P-value equal to 0.07. HR, BP, and SpO differences between groups were statistically insignificant. The recovery score was higher in RG (5.8 ± 0.4) than in CG (5.1 ± 0.8) at the first postoperative 20 minutes, with a P-value < 0.001.

Conclusions: In lengthy procedures with limited volume loss, using a moderately restrictive regimen is preferred over the conventional intraoperative fluid regimen considering both respiratory dysfunctions and recovery score.