title: The effect of pre-operative intake of oral water and ranitidine on gastric fluid volume and pH in children undergoing elective surgery.
abstract: The effect of pre-operative intake of oral water and ranitidine on gastric fluid volume and pH was studied in 75 children of American Society of Anesthetists (ASA) grade I and grade II undergoing elective surgery. Group I patients fasted from midnight and acted as control. Group II patients received 5 ml/kg plain water orally 3 hours before surgery. Group III children received 5 ml/kg of plain water and 2 mg/kg of ranitidine orally 3 hours before surgery. Mean volume of gastric aspirate was comparable in all 3 groups (p > 0.05). Mean pH was significantly higher in ranitidine treated patients (5.12 +/- 1.73) as compared to non-ranitidine treated patients (2.26 +/- 0.57 and 2.53 +/ 0.79 in group I and group II respectively). Number of patients at risk (pH < or = 2.5 and volume > or = 0.4 ml/kg) was not significantly different in group I and group II. Mean thirst and behaviour scores were significantly higher in fluid treated patients (groups II and III) as compared to control (p < 0.01). To conclude, administration of pre-operative water (5 ml/kg) along with ranitidine (2 mg/kg) favourably modifies gastric fluid volume and pH, improves patient behaviour and minimises the number of patients at risk of aspiration pneumonitis, should the child aspirate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Medical College and Hospital, Rohtak.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gombar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dureja
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiran
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gombar
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chhabra
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001834:Body Water / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012016:Reference Values; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D014867:Water; D011899:Ranitidine