Is preoperative fasting necessary?
The effects of fasting and of histamine (H2) antagonists on gastric volume and acidity were studied in 56 baboons undergoing various surgical procedures under general anesthesia and randomly allocated into 4 groups; group A--fasted for 14 hours; group B--given 100-120 ml of water 3 hours before surgery; groups C and D--also given 100-120 ml of water 3 hours before surgery; in addition, the former received cimetidine 10 mg/kg IM and the latter ranitidine 1.5 mg/kg IM 30-40 minutes before anesthesia. There were no significant differences between groups A and B with respect to the gastric volume and pH. Both ranitidine and cimetidine significantly (P < 0.02) reduced gastric volume and increased gastric pH. Thus, prolonged withholding of oral fluids does not reduce the gastric volume or increase gastric pH. H2-antagonists are effective in reducing both gastric residual volume and pH.
Popilskis
S
S
Institute of Comparative Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032.
Danilo
P
P
Acosta
H
H
Kohn
D
D
D000818:Animals; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010215:Papio / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014868:Water Deprivation / Q000502:physiology
D002927:Cimetidine; D011899:Ranitidine