Cardiothoracic & vascular anaesthesia
The Impact of Intraoperative Fluid Management on Postoperative Complications Following Thoracic Surgery: An Evaluation From the German Thoracic Registry
Authors' conclusion
Intraoperative crystalloid volume-largely independent of patient characteristics-is associated with increased postoperative complications. The effect is pronounced in anatomic resections and minimal in wedge resections. A total infusion volume ≥2,500 mL represents a critical threshold.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing lung resection (wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, bilobectomy, pneumonectomy), German Thoracic Registry 2016–2020204 matched triplets
- Participants
- 612 patients
- Exposure
- Total crystalloid volume ≥2,500 mL vs lower volume
- Outcome
- Postoperative complications
Methodological detailsmatched-pair analysis, national registry, multicentre
- Matched-pair analysis
- National registry
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Postoperative complications, anatomic resections
- Total crystalloid volume ≥2,500 mL associated with higher overall and respiratory complication rates, especially pneumonia, in anatomic resections
- Nonpulmonary complications unaffected
- Matched-pair analysis
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Pleural drainage duration and hospital stay, anatomic resections (subgroup)
- Prolonged with ≥2,500 mL
Wedge resections (subgroup)
- Infusion volume had minimal impact, except longer pleural drainage and increased use of NIV
Original publication
The Impact of Intraoperative Fluid Management on Postoperative Complications Following Thoracic Surgery: An Evaluation From the German Thoracic Registry. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 2 September 2026. doi:10.
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