Preoperative Fasting

Therapeutic Purpose: The purpose of preoperative fasting is to minimize residual gastric volume and acidity. By doing so, the doctor can prevent inhalation, regurgitation and aspiration of the gastric contents while giving anesthesia. This article explores on the subject of preoperative fasting.

However, there are negative factors of prolonged periods of preoperative fasting. This may cause other complications such as distress, biochemical imbalance, dehydration and hypoglycemia, especially in children. One more danger of prolong fasting us that there is a tendency for gastric volume to increase after a prolonged fast.

Though preoperative fasting is recommended but the time of fasting and limit of fasting depends on several factors like the type of surgery, age of the patient, medications etc. This article gives only the information on the subject, but it should not be taken as guidelines for any operative procedures.

Considering the four types of food: clear liquids, non-clear liquids, semi solids and solids as the intake forms. Here are the latest updates on preoperative fasting:

• Clear liquids like water, dilute juices, black tea and black coffee should not be consumed within two hours of the beginning of the surgery or operating list. Milk is not considered as clear liquid.
• Non-clear liquids and semi solids like pulps, jellies, milk and milk containing food stuffs should be avoided for six hours before the surgery.
• Solids and heavy foods should be taken at least eight hours before the operation.
• Alcohol and alcohol containing beverages should be stopped at least a day before, about 24 hours, prior to the surgery. This is because alcohol have tendency to increase gastric emptying time in the stomach.
• For infants who are on breast feeding and formula milk should be fed six hours before the surgery. Some anaesthetists may allow for four hours but again that depends on the type of surgery.