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Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of using a medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch solution (HES) administered as a replacement for estimated blood loss (EBL) during cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer on splanchnic oxygenation., Methods: Forty-two patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. As soon as the EBL exceeded 10% but was less than 20% of the estimated blood volume, the patients were randomly assigned to receive either a volume of lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) equal to three times the EBL (LRS group, n = 22) or a volume of 6% HES equal to the EBL (HES group, n = 20). Tissue oxygenation was assessed indirectly by measuring tonometric parameters, including the difference between gastric intramucosal PsCO(2) and arterial PaCO(2) (Ps-a CO(2) gap), gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) and arterial lactate acid concentration at 30 min after induction of anesthesia (baseline value), 1 hour and 2 hours after skin incision, and at the end of surgery., Results: At the end of surgery,the Ps-a CO(2) gap in the HES group (8.7 +/- 1.6 mmHg) was significantly lower than that of the LRS group (18.74 +/- 4.4 mmHg, P < 0.01), while the pHi (7.30 +/- 0.05 mmHg) in the HES group was significantly higher than that of the LRS group (7.21 +/- 0.07 mmHg, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of arterial lactate acid concentration., Conclusion: In patients undergoing major surgery with relatively large blood losses, volume resuscitation with medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch solution may improve splanchnic blood flow and tissue oxygenation.