Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of ODM-guided intraoperative fluid administration in patients who underwent colorectal surgery were eligible for inclusion.
All trials except one focused on patients who received colorectal surgery (two used laparoscopic procedures). A distinction between colonic and rectal procedures was made in three out of five trials. The median American Society for Anesthesiologists (ASA) score for patients was 2. One trial was conducted according to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management of patients varied widely. The primary outcomes of interest were hospital length of stay and cardiac output. Discharge criteria for the first of these outcomes was reported in two trials. Among the secondary outcomes were complications, intraoperative cardiac variables, blood transfusions, dietary outcomes, nausea and vomiting, quality of life and cytokine release.
It appeared that studies were selected by two reviewers and any disagreements were resolved with the additional involvement of two senior reviewers.