Effect of preanesthetic rectal famotidine on pH and volume of gastric contents in pediatric outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility and effects of preanesthetic rectal famotidine on gastric fluid pH and volume in pediatric patients.


METHODS
Randomized, prospective, double-blind, controlled study.


METHODS
Operating room at a medical center.


METHODS
Eighty patients undergoing minor surgery under general anesthesia randomly allocated to one of two groups.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients in Group 1 were given 0.5 mg/kg of diazepam rectally 30 to 120 minutes before anesthesia induction. Thirty-eight patients in Group 2 received 1 mg/kg of famotidine, a new histamine (H2) blocker, and 0.5 mg/kg of diazepam through the same route. Six patients in Group 1 and two patients in Group 2 were excluded from the study due to gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.


RESULTS
Patients with gastric pH less than 2.5 or volume of gastric contents greater than 0.4 ml/kg were considered to be at risk for pulmonary aspiration. Thirty-five (92%) of the Group 2 patients had gastric contents with pH greater than 2.5 and gastric volume less than or equal to 0.4 ml/kg. Only 13 (38%) of the patients in Group 1 had similar gastric pH and volume. Rectal administration did not cause the children pain, and no anorectal problems of famotidine were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Famotidine 1.0 mg/kg administered rectally 30 minutes prior to general anesthesia appears to result in a satisfactory increase in gastric pH.
Nishimura
M
M
Department of Anesthesiology, Osaka Medical Center, Japan.
Nakano
S
S
Ueyama
H
H
Uchiyama
A
A
Tashiro
C
C
D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015738:Famotidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D015738:Famotidine; D003975:Diazepam