Comparison of preoperative gastric contents and serum gastrin concentrations in pregnant and nonpregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the volume and the pH level of preoperative gastric contents and serum gastrin concentrations between pregnant and nonpregnant women.


METHODS
This prospective controlled study was conducted in a single blind manner.


METHODS
One hundred pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery (pregnant group) and 100 nonpregnant women who underwent gynecologic surgery (nonpregnant group) were enrolled.


METHODS
Gastric content was aspirated gently with 14-F multiorificed nasogastric tube before the induction of anesthesia.


METHODS
The volume and the pH level of the aspirated gastric contents were measured, and serum gastrin concentration was measured by the double antibody gastrin method.


RESULTS
The gastric volume in the pregnant group was greater than in the nonpregnant group (0.49 +/- 0.4 vs 0.24 +/- 0.2 mL/kg, P < .05). The gastric pH level in the pregnant group was lower than in the nonpregnant group (2.4 +/- 1.4 vs 3.0 +/- 1.9, P < .05). The number of patients at risk was 45 (45.5%) in the pregnant group and 16 (16.7%) in the nonpregnant group (P < .05). The serum gastrin levels of the 2 groups were not significantly different (32.1 +/- 12.3 vs 28.2 +/- 8.3 pg/mL). The preoperative anxiety level of the pregnant group was higher than in the nonpregnant group (4.4 +/- 2.1 vs 3.8 +/- 2.2, P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed that pregnant women have much greater and more acidic gastric contents than the nonpregnant patients preoperatively, and it is not because of serum gastrin concentration.
Hong
Jeong-Yeon
JY
Department of Anesthesiology, Samsung Cheil Hospital, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 100-380, South Korea. jenyhong@samsung.co.kr
Park
Jung Wook
JW
Oh
Jong In
JI
D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood*; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*
D005755:Gastrins