I am Dirk Himpe from Antwerp Belgium. Gelatins are still considered the Cinderella of the colloids. Much like the fairytale character, they're often overlooked or spoken about in hushed tones—but they continue to quietly do a great deal of work behind the scenes. And perhaps, like Cinderella, they too have a promising future. Gelatins are actually the oldest synthetic plasma substitutes, with their first use in humans dating back to 1915 during World War I. Their role expanded significantly during and after World War II, with ongoing modifications to improve their safety and applicability in critical care settings. Today, we have several types of gelatin solutions, and it's important to note: they are not all the same. These solutions have evolved over time, and although they have stood the test of time, they have not always received the recognition they deserve in the scientific literature. Despite their widespread use in many ICUs, gelatins are still underappreciated in academic and guideline-driven discussions. In many ways, they remain "Cinderella among the fluids"—doing the work, but rarely celebrated. One key challenge is the lack of large, high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Today, the standard in fluid research is clear: if there's no RCT, the product or approach simply doesn't count at the level of evidence-based practice. This has pushed gelatins further to the sidelines in official recommendations. However, there's now hope on the horizon. A multi-center RCT on gelatin use in ICU and septic patients has recently started in Germany. This may provide the evidence base we've been waiting for, helping to clarify the role of gelatins in modern fluid therapy. So while they may still be the underdogs, gelatins have a rich history, a committed user base, and potentially, a bright future—provided we invest in the research needed to validate their continued use.

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