title: [Use of maintenance fluid therapy in surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the use of various maintenance fluid therapy regimens, as well as their adequacy to hospital recommendations, in adult in-patients admitted to a general surgery ward during 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on solution type and volume, fluid therapy regimen, and duration in days were retrospectively collected for each administered solution from computerized medical orders within the Unit-Dose Drug Distribution Area. A database was developed including the composition of available solutions within our hospital, so that electrolytes, glucose and volumes administered may be calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 354 patients undergoing fluid therapy 125 were selected to receive maintenance regimens. Fluid therapy was administered for more than 5 days in 31% of patients. The most commonly supplied fluids were 5% glucose (43%) and 0.9% saline + 1500 mL of 5% glucose + 60 mEq potassium chloride (CIK). Amongst patients receiving the recommended volume/day (84%) 50% received sodium and potassium more than twice as much the recommended amount, and 70% received glucose amounts not covering minimal daily requirements. Potassium was administered according to recommendations in 85% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is an excessive use of 0.9% saline and 5% glucose to the detriment of 1/3 glucosaline and 10% glucose, which translates as an excessive daily sodium and defective daily glucose provision. In our hospital we have recommended maintenance fluid therapy regimens, as well as fluids more appropriate for postoperative electrolyte replacement; however, their use is still deficient.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid. mcampoa@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campo Angora
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: García Rodríguez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez Díaz
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Serrano Garrote
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herreros de Tejada y López Coterilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D015532:Rehydration Solutions