title: [Available options for operating on a non-fasted patient].
abstract: Aspiration of gastric contents during or after induction of anaesthesia can be prevented by adhering to preoperative fasting guidelines of 6 hours for solid foods and 2 hours for clear liquids. There are frequent cases in which the patient cannot be regarded as having fasted; this applies in particular to non-planned acute or semi-acute patients. Instead of postponing surgery to later the same day or even the next day, there are alternatives, such as bedside ultrasound assessment of the stomach volume or accelerating gastric emptying by administering a low dose of erytromycin. These options can contribute to a more efficient planning of surgery and a higher level of comfort for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Ziekenhuis Gelderse Vallei, afd. Anesthesiologie, Ede.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van Wagenberg
authors.forename: Dik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Snijdelaar
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D000075202:Contraindications; D005215:Fasting; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography