Last winter, while accompanying my mother for gastrointestinal surgery, when the anesthesiologist pushed the treatment cart in, I immediately saw the bag of light yellow green liquid hanging on the infusion rack - labeled as "Sodium Lactate Ringer Injection". At that time, I stared blankly at the bag of liquid and asked, "What's the difference between this and the physiological saline solution I usually receive? Why do surgical patients have to use this?" The nurse saw my confusion and smiled, saying, "This bag of water has a lot of knowledge. I'll tell you slowly when your mother wakes up." From that day on, I followed the bed doctor like a sponge, asking questions and flipping through books to find information, and finally truly understood the secrets of this "life-saving water" bag. Today, let's have a good chat with everyone about the key role of this seemingly ordinary sodium lactate Ringer injection.
1、 The function of Sodium Lactate Ringer Injection is most clear from the ingredients. To understand the function of Sodium Lactate Ringer Injection, you first need to open it up and look at its "formula". This medicine is not just salt water, but is composed of four ingredients that work together: 3.10g of sodium lactate, 6.00g of sodium chloride, 0.30g of potassium chloride, and 0.20g of calcium chloride per 1000ml. Don't underestimate these ingredients, they are like a team that works together seamlessly, each with their own tasks, and together they can play a crucial role.
（1） Sodium lactate: The "acid-base regulator" hidden in the name. Sodium lactate is the origin of the name of this liquid and the core component that distinguishes it from ordinary physiological saline. At first, I always thought, 'Lactic acid' sounds like an acidic substance, how can it still regulate acid-base balance? Later on, it was discovered that sodium lactate transforms into sodium bicarbonate after entering the human body - it is metabolized into sodium bicarbonate in the liver, which is alkaline and can neutralize excessive acidic substances in the blood. Just like when cooking soup in the kitchen, if the soup is too sour and a little baking soda is added, sodium lactate does a similar job in the body.

1. The most common example is severe diarrhea in patients, where a large amount of intestinal fluid is lost and alkaline substances in the body are excreted, causing the blood to become acidic (medically known as metabolic acidosis). At this time, when administering sodium lactate Ringer, the bicarbonate produced by sodium lactate metabolism acts like a "firefighter", quickly neutralizing excess acid and slowly returning the blood pH to the normal range. On the day of my mother's surgery, due to fasting and anesthesia, postoperative laboratory tests showed mild acidosis. The doctor said it was this bag of liquid that helped a lot.
（2） Sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride: In addition to sodium lactate, the other three electrolytes in the electrolyte world are more like the body's "basic supplies". Sodium chloride provides sodium ions, potassium chloride provides potassium ions, and calcium chloride provides calcium ions - these three ions are like "signal soldiers" in the body, maintaining normal cell function, nerve and muscle excitability, and blood osmotic pressure.
1. Sodium ions are the "main force" that maintains blood osmotic pressure. For example, cells are like small balloons. The appropriate concentration of sodium ions in the blood prevents water from "running around" - neither causing the cells to burst due to too much water, nor drying up due to too little water. I have seen an old man who suffered from heatstroke before. Due to excessive sweating and lack of timely hydration, his blood pressure was so low that it couldn't be measured. The doctor said that the sodium ions in his blood were almost "running out". He received sodium lactate infusion to quickly replenish sodium and bring back his blood pressure.
Although potassium ions are present in small amounts, their effects are not insignificant. Our heart beats and muscles contract without it. Last time I accompanied my mother for a follow-up examination, the aunt next door suffered from weakness in her hands and feet and irregular heartbeat due to long-term use of diuretics to expel potassium. The doctor administered her sodium lactate Ringer - the potassium chloride inside can slowly replenish potassium, which is much safer than drinking potassium water directly.
3. Calcium ions are more like "stabilizers". I once saw a nurse changing the dressing of a severely injured patient, and the patient was in excruciating pain. The doctor said it was muscle spasms caused by low calcium, and administering sodium lactate and calcium chloride to the patient could reduce the excitability of the nerves and muscles, and gradually stop smoking.

2、 The function of Sodium Lactate Ringer Injection is most intuitively understood in clinical settings, but it also depends on how it "works" in actual treatment. During the month when I was hospitalized with my mother, I witnessed this bag of liquid being used on surgical patients, burn patients, and elderly people with diarrhea. It was like a 'universal patch', where it needed to be replenished.
（1） The mother of the "intraoperative escort" of the surgical patient underwent laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery. Although the trauma was not significant, anesthesia temporarily caused the body to "go on strike" - blood vessels dilated, fluid distribution changed, and possible bleeding during the surgery required timely fluid replacement. At this point, sodium lactate Ringer became the "first choice".
1. I asked the anesthesiologist, "Why don't we use regular saline?" The doctor replied, "Regular saline only contains sodium chloride, while surgical patients not only lose water, but also ions such as potassium and calcium. Sodium lactate Ringer's composition is closer to the extracellular fluid of the human body, and the fluid added can be more evenly distributed in blood vessels and tissues, unlike saline which may cause tissue swelling." My mother infused 1500ml throughout the surgery, and her postoperative urine output was normal without swelling of her hands and feet. The doctor said this is a manifestation of the "right way" of fluid supplementation.
（2） The 'wound repair assistant' for burn patients has a child in the same room who was scalded by hot water, and the wound covers 30% of the body. I saw the nurse administering several bags of Sodium Lactate Ringer to him every day. At first, I thought it was just hydration, but later I realized that the trick was deeper.
The most dangerous period for burn patients is the "shock phase" - a large amount of body fluids seep out of the wound, blood becomes concentrated, electrolytes are disrupted, and acidic substances are produced due to tissue necrosis. The sodium ion of sodium lactate lingri can maintain blood volume and prevent shock; Potassium and calcium can correct electrolyte imbalances; Sodium lactate can neutralize acidic substances. The child lost for 3 days, and his blood pressure went from being too low to be measured to stable within the normal range. The doctor said it was thanks to this bag of liquid being administered in multiple tubes.
（3） The most common type of "dehydration first aid kit" for diarrhea patients in the emergency department is acute gastroenteritis patients, who have been vomiting and diarrhea for several days and have become emaciated. When I accompanied my mother for a check-up, I met an elderly man in his 60s who had diarrhea five times due to eating bad food. His lips were dry and his blood pressure was 80/50mmHg (normally above 90/60).
1. The doctor prescribed him Sodium Lactate Ringer and explained to his family while administering it: "He not only lacks water, but also lacks sodium and potassium. His intestines are stretched too hard, and his body has accumulated acid. This bag of water can not only replenish water and electrolytes, but also correct acid, which is much more effective than drinking diluted saline." Half an hour later, the old man could speak softly and administered another 1000ml. His blood pressure slowly rose to 100/65, and the family kept saying, "This water is really life-saving!"
Thirdly, the effect of Sodium Lactate Ringer Injection is that it is a "good helper" when used correctly. However, although this bag of liquid is good, it is not a "panacea". When I see nurses dispensing medication in the hospital, I always double check the patient's condition - for those with poor kidney function or lactate metabolism disorders, the doctor will specifically instruct them to "use with caution".
（1） Not all dehydration can be treated with physical therapy with my mother once. I heard the nurse discuss: "Why didn't the patient with diabetes ketoacidosis lose sodium lactate ringer?" The doctor explained: "ketoacidosis is because there are too many ketone bodies in his body. At this time, the metabolism of lactic acid may be affected. Using sodium lactate may aggravate the acid accumulation, so we have to use sodium bicarbonate instead." Avoid putting too heavy a burden on the heart. It's like pouring water into a cup. Empty cups should be poured quickly and slowly when they are almost full, or they will spill out. "
(III) Special people should" tailor their clothes "In fact, it's not just this bag of liquid, many seemingly ordinary drugs hide medical wisdom behind them. Next time you go to the hospital, if you also see "Sodium Lactate Ringer Injection" hanging on the infusion rack, think about it: this is not just a simple "hanging water", but a "life supplement" carefully selected by doctors based on the patient's condition. Have you or your family ever used this liquid? What was the reason at that time? You can leave a message to chat and let more people understand its function.
Ultimately, the function of Sodium Lactate Ringer Injection is to use ingredients that are closest to the human body's needs, providing the body with a "timely rain" when it is most needed. It has no earth shattering therapeutic effect, but it protects every patient who needs it in the simplest way possible. This may be the warmest power of medicine.