Preoperative saline versus gelatin for hip fracture patients; a randomized trial of 396 patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine if the preoperative administration of 500 ml of a gelatin colloid solution intravenously before hip fracture surgery improves outcome, compared with a conventional i.v. fluid regime with a crystalloid solution.


METHODS
Randomized, double blind, controlled trial of i.v. saline vs colloid for 396 patients having hip fracture surgery admitted to a district general hospital. Patients were followed up for 1 yr.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between groups for mortality (30-day mortality 9/198 for saline group vs 19/198 for colloid group, 95% confidence intervals 0.21-1.02), length of hospital stay (22.5 days vs 17.3 days, 95% CI -10.78 to 0.38), or occurrence of postoperative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The inclusion of 500 ml of colloid solution to the i.v. fluid regime before hip fracture surgery does not improve outcome.
Parker
M J
MJ
Department of Orthopaedicsand, Peterborough District Hospital, Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6DA, UK. mjparker@doctors.org.uk
Griffiths
R
R
Boyle
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005780:Gelatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D005780:Gelatin