title: Fluids and gastrointestinal function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To highlight recent developments relating perioperative fluid therapy to gastrointestinal function by reviewing clinically pertinent English language articles mainly from January 2010 to March 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The control of fluid and electrolyte balance involves multiple processes in which the gastrointestinal tract plays an integral role. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract commonly cause fluid and electrolyte disturbance. Similarly, intravenous fluid therapy in the perioperative period can affect gastrointestinal function and have a bearing on postoperative outcome. Striking a balance, in terms of both fluid composition and volume, is likely to reduce the morbidity associated with interstitial edema, a frequently observed occurrence with contemporary perioperative fluid regimens. This balance may be best achieved using individualized and goal-directed approaches to fluid therapy, in order to provide fluid when it is needed and in the correct quantities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In planning strategies of fluid therapy, the possibility of adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract should be considered, as this is likely to have an impact on fluid and electrolyte balance and postoperative outcome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, Nottingham University Hospitals, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Abeed H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Dileep N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Lobo
mesh_terms: D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance