CI

At a glance

ClinicalIndex Comparison Record
N/ACompleted· 3,000 enrolled
Drug / intervention
Liberal fluid therapy +1 moreother
Likely dose
Not stated in record
Structured eligibility isn't available for this trial yet — see the full criteria in the Eligibility tab below.

Standardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.

Search/NCT01424150
NCT01424150N/ACompleted

Restrictive Versus Liberal Fluid Therapy in Major Abdominal Surgery

Bayside Health·interventional·Posted Aug 26, 2011·Updated Jan 20, 2026

In Brief

A clinical study evaluating Liberal fluid therapy and Restrictive fluid therapy for Abdominal Surgery. Completed, enrolled 3,000 participants across 1 site.

Detailed Summary

The optimal fluid regimen, haemodynamic (or other) targets and fluid choice (colloid or crystalloid) for patients undergoing major surgery are based on rationales that are not supported by strong evidence. Practices vary substantially, guidelines are vague, small trials and meta-analyses are contradictory. The strongest and most consistent evidence, and biological plausibility because of tissue edema, supports a restrictive fluid strategy. But other evidence supports goal-directed therapy, requiring additional IV fluid. There is no good evidence that use and choice of colloids improves outcome. RELIEF will study the effects of fluid restriction, and the possible effect-modification of goal-directed therapy and colloids. The first will be randomly assigned; the latter will be measured covariates dictated by local practices and beliefs. Study Hypotheses A restrictive fluid regimen for adults undergoing major abdominal surgery leads to reduced complications and improved disability-free survival when compared with a liberal fluid regimen. Secondary hypothesis: The effects of fluid restriction are similar whether or not goal-directed therapy is used (assessed as a statistical test of interaction). A restrictive fluid regimen will reduce a composite of 30-day septic complications and mortality.

Study Details

Study Typeinterventional
Allocation--
Masking--
Primary Purpose--
CountriesAustralia

Timeline

N/ACompletedFinished
201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
First PostedAug 26, 2011
Enrollment StartJul 1, 2013
Primary CompletionSep 1, 2017
Study CompletionOct 22, 2017
TodayJul 2, 2026
Enrollment to primary: 4.2 yearsPosted 14.8 years ago

Interventions

Liberal fluid therapyother

Liberal protocol group is designed to provide approximately 6.0L per day.

Restrictive fluid therapyother

Restrictive protocol group is designed to provide less than 2.0 L water and 120 mmol sodium per day.