Benefits of Esophageal Doppler-Guided Fluid Management

Should you ask for EDG fluid management?

Esophageal doppler-guided (EDG) fluid management is another way to monitor your blood volume during colorectal resection surgery. The standard method is central venous pressure-based (CVP-based) monitoring. How each is performed is probably less important to you than which is performed; after all, you'll be asleep. So, why does it matter?

A study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia reviewed data from 128 patients who underwent colorectal cancer resection surgery. Researchers found that those who received EDG fluid management during surgery had shorter hospital stays and fewer surgery-related illnesses than patients who received CVP-based fluid management.

Specifically, patients who had EDG fluid management left the hospital a day and half earlier. Also, about 14% experienced surgery-related illnesses, compared to 45% of patients who received conventional (CVP-based) fluid management.

Low blood volume (hypovolemia) during colorectal resection surgery is a key factor in surgery-related illnesses. Effective fluid management during surgery is necessary to prevent hypovolemia.

If a colorectal resection is in your future, you may want to talk to your doctor about substituting EDG fluid management for CVP-based fluid management. You don't have to completely understand it to bring it up. Your doctor should be aware of the research and be able to explain whether EDG fluid management would be beneficial in your case and if not, why not.

_{Source: Wakeling, G. and McFall, M. "Intraoperative Oesophageal Doppler Guided Fluid Management Shortens Postoperative Hospital Stay After Major Bowel Surgery." British Journal of Anaesthesia 95.5 (2005): 634-642. 25 Aug. 2006.}