Gastric fluid volume and pH in scheduled surgical patients following unrestricted oral fluid intake until two hours before surgery

In scheduled surgery, drinking is generally restricted for 6-8 hours before operation to avoid aspiration pneumonia induced by aspiration of residual gastric contents. However, the restriction is hard for patients and also there is no evidence of reduction of such a risk. We examined the correlation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMasui. The Japanese journal of anesthesiology Vol. 54; no. 1; p. 14
Main Authors Wakamatsu, Narutomo, Makino, Sawa, Fujimoto, Shoji, Shimazu, Akemi, Toriumi, Shinichi
Format Journal Article
LanguageJapanese
Published Japan 01.01.2005
Subjects
Drinking - physiology
Elective Surgical Procedures
Female
Gastric Acid
Gastric Acidity Determination
Gastric Juice
Gastrointestinal Contents
Gynecologic Surgical Procedures
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Patient Satisfaction
Pneumonia, Aspiration - prevention & control
Preoperative Care
Risk
Time Factors
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Summary:In scheduled surgery, drinking is generally restricted for 6-8 hours before operation to avoid aspiration pneumonia induced by aspiration of residual gastric contents. However, the restriction is hard for patients and also there is no evidence of reduction of such a risk. We examined the correlation between water intake and residual gastric content. We studied 60 patients scheduled for gynecological operations (ASA 1 or 2). They were allowed to drink clear water freely until two hours before operation, and timing and volume of their drinking were recorded. In addition, volume and pH of the residual gastric content were measured at induction of anesthesia. The mean volumes of fluids they had are 157 ml (range 0-750 ml) in the morning, and 486 ml (range 80-1300 ml) in the afternoon. The patients took more water as the scheduled time of operation became nearer. There was no correlation between the volume of preoperative drinking with the volume and pH of gastric content. Intake of clear water until two hours before surgery has been shown to be safe and contribute to patients' satisfaction.
ISSN:0021-4892