Fluid Overload Increases Risk of Anastomotic Dehiscence: Animal and Human Studies

An animal experiment showed that if animals are given too much fluid, such as rats developing sub-mucosal edema, those who were fluid overloaded had a lower anastomotic breaking strength than those who received the right amount or slightly restricted fluids. Similarly, a study from the United States has shown that if patients develop an anastomotic dehiscence, the average amount of fluid received over the first 72 hours exceeds 10.5 liters. If patients are given less than 10.5 liters over the first 72 hours, they are less likely to develop an anastomotic dehiscence.