Meta-analysis shows lactated ringer's may shorten hospital stay but offers no mortality benefit in acute pancreatitisNew review shows lactated ringer fluid may shorten hospital stays for some pancreatitis patients without saving lives

Intravenous fluid resuscitation is fundamental in acute pancreatitis (AP), but optimal crystalloid selection remains debated. This meta-analysis compares lactated ringer’s (LR) and normal saline (NS) for outcomes in AP. We conducted the systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and WanFang (Until July 2025) for studies comparing LR and NS in AP. Primary outcomes included mortality, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), ICU transfer, pancreatic necrosis, organ failure, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Random- or fixed-effects models were used based on heterogeneity (I2). Overall mortality did not differ between LR and NS (OR = 1.020, 95% CI: 0.865–1.359, p = 0.895). No mortality benefit was observed for LR in any severity subgroup, including severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) (OR = 0.931, 95% CI: 0.157–5.505, p = 0.937). LR significantly shortened LOS in RCTs (SMD = −0.307, 95% CI: −0.511 to −0.102, p = 0.003) and small-sample studies (100 cases) subgroups. Trial sequential analysis confirmed true negative findings for mortality, ICU transfer and SIRS, but indicated insufficient power for pancreatic necrosis, organ failure and LOS. LR and NS demonstrate comparable mortality and safety profiles, with no significant difference in overall LOS. Although LR may shorten LOS in certain subgroups, its association with prolonged LOS in patients with SAP requires further validation. Therefore, based on current evidence, no preference can be recommended for either fluid, and larger standardized trials are warranted.