THE BENEFICIAL VALUES OF TRANSOESOPHAGEAL DOPPLER IN INTRAOPERATIVE FLUID GUIDANCE VERSUS STANDARD CLINICAL MONITORING PARAMETERS IN INFANTS UNDERGOING KASAI OPERATION.

BACKGROUND: Fluid overload in infants can result from inappropriate volume expansion (VE). The aim of this work was to evaluate the beneficial values of Transoesophageal Doppler TED in intraoperative fluid guidance versus standard clinical monitoring parameters in infants undergoing Kasai operation.

METHODS: Forty infants scheduled for Kasai procedure were randomly allocated into two groups (Doppler and clinical group). In Doppler group decided to provide VE (10-30 m1/kg of Hydroxyethyl starches HES) when the index stroke volume decreased by ≥ 15% from the baseline value, in clinical group, hemodynamic variables triggering colloid administration mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) less than 20% below baseline or central venous pressure (CVP) < 5 cmH2O in both groups: Ringer's acetate was infused at constant rate (6 m 1/kg/h). Standard and TED-derived data were recorded before and after VE. Follow up the postoperative outcome and hospital stay.

RESULTS: There were significantly lower mean volume of HES (42.85 ± 3.93 versus 84 ± 14.29 ml) and percent of infants required it (30% versus 90%) associated with earlier tolerance to oral feeding (2 ± 0.66 versus 3.4 ± 0.51), shorter hospital stay (5.30 ± 0.47 versus 6.7 ± [symbols: see text] days) and lower rate of chest infection (15% versus 30%) in Doppler group than clinical group. There was no difference between the two studied groups regarding heart rate, MAP.

CONCLUSIONS: TED guided intraoperative fluid intake in infants undergoing Kasai operation optimize fluid consumption and improve outcome associated with shorter hospital stay.