Joosten A, et al. - Researchers presented 1-yr follow-up renal and disability outcomes in patients who had major open abdominal surgery and had better short-term outcomes with balanced hydroxyethyl starch solution administered as part of intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy vs a balanced crystalloid solution. Assessments were performed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS). The original study comprised 160 patients and follow-up data were obtained for renal function in 129 and for WHODAS score in 114. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was mainly assessed. For crystalloids vs colloids, no statistically significant differences were evident in estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 yr, however, in the colloid vs in the crystalloid group, a statistically significantly lower WHODAS score (%) and higher disability-free survival were observed. Overall, they found no evidence of a statistically significant difference in long-term renal function between a balanced hydroxyethyl starch and a balanced crystalloid solution used as part of intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy in this patient population.