title: Anti-aspiration prophylaxis in New Zealand: a national survey.
abstract: A postal questionnaire was sent on two occasions to specialist anaesthetists within New Zealand. Questions were related to fasting status, anti-aspiration prophylaxis, incidence of aspiration, definition of high risk groups for aspiration pneumonitis, and identification of departmental guidelines. Two-hundred-and-twenty-three replies were received (72% response rate). Most adults, children and infants were fasted for 6 hours for solids, whilst the majority fasted for 2 to 4 hours for liquids. Two-thirds indicated that they would delay emergency surgery (not life/limb threatening) to optimize gastric emptying. Histamine type 2 receptor antagonists, metoclopramide and cricoid pressure were used commonly, more so in the obstetric population compared to non-obstetric surgery. Preinduction nasogastric intubation and suction were used infrequently. Anti-aspiration prophylaxis was deemed important in morbidly obese patients, those in the third trimester of pregnancy and those with a hiatus hernia, whilst diabetes mellitus, sepsis and renal failure were not considered risk factors for aspiration pneumonitis. 71% of respondents had at least one episode of aspiration (range 0-10), with an overall mortality rate of 5%. Half of these cases of aspiration were deemed to be preventable by the respondent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kluger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Willemsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors