Ions and IVs: are we still using the Henry Ford model?

Intravenous fluid therapy matched to fluid losses provides the patient with appropriate and cost-effective care. While the physiognomies of many of our patients are robust enough to handle nearly any type of intravenous perioperative replacement, we shall all see patients with varying fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Using the tables and formulae in this article will assist the anesthesia provider in tailoring fluids to both tonicity and electrolyte needs.