Fluid Resuscitation With Lactated Ringer's Solution Versus Normal Saline in Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Objectives
We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to summarize the overall association between the choice of fluid (lactated Ringer's [LR] or normal saline [NS]) and clinical outcomes in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Methods
A systematic literature search was performed in electronic databases to identify eligible randomized controlled trials. Meta-analyses with the random-effects and IVhet models were used to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) for outcomes of interest with the administration of LR relative to NS, at 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results
There was a significant reduction in the odds of intensive care unit admission and development of local complications, respectively, with the administration of LR among hospitalized patients with acute pancreatitis relative to administration of NS (pooled ORs, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.13–0.81] and 0.43 [95% CI, 0.21–0.89], respectively).

Conclusions
Our findings are able to assist clinicians in the navigation of the proper choice of fluid in patients with acute pancreatitis.