Is the reign of "Normal" Saline over, or is the classic bag of salt water actually the hero of the trauma bay? For years, the critical care community has debated whether we should abandon 0.9% sodium chloride in favor of balanced crystalloids like Lactated Ringer’s or Plasma-Lyte to protect the kidneys and prevent acidosis. But a new study suggests we might be writing off saline too soon—especially when the brain is involved.

In this episode, we break down a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis from the American Journal of Emergency Medicine . The researchers pooled data from six randomized controlled trials involving nearly 2,000 trauma patients to compare efficacy and safety . The results might surprise proponents of balanced fluids. While there was no significant difference in acute kidney injury or general mortality for non-head trauma, the data revealed a vital signal for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In TBI patients, Normal Saline was actually associated with lower mortality and more ventilator-free days compared to balanced solutions .

So, what does this mean for your next trauma alert? It suggests that the slight hypertonicity of saline might be protective against cerebral edema, making it a potentially superior choice for head-injured patients . Tune in as we dissect the pathophysiology, the "chloride load" myth, and why Normal Saline remains a safe, standard option for undifferentiated trauma resuscitation.

Balanced crystalloids versus normal saline for trauma resuscitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis