The effect of preoperative oral fluid and ranitidine on gastric fluid volume and pH (10.0 • 8.8, 9.7 ~-10.5 ml) compared with the two placebo groups (20.6 +-14.1, 29.9 +-18.9
ml) (p < O.Ol).Mean pH values were significantly higher in the two ranitidine groups (6.71 +-0.99; 6.31 " 1.81)
The effects of overnight fasting on gastric contents and on the symptoms associated with fasting were studied prospectively in female outpatients. Group A (n = 66) were patients scheduled for first trimester therapeutic abortion; group B (n = 66) were scheduled for minor gynaecological surgery. It was demonstrated that overnight fasting (15 +/- 3 h) did not guarantee an empty stomach (volume 22 +/- 13 ml) and that gastric acidity was high (pH 1.6 +/- 0.5). Gastric volumes and pH were the same in both groups. Group A patients had a higher incidence of preoperative nausea and vomiting (P less than 0.001). Before anaesthesia, 50% of all patients had symptoms of moderate to severe hunger, while 44% of patients had symptoms of moderate to severe thirst. Neither the severity of symptoms of fasting nor the duration of fast correlated with gastric volume or pH. Patients in group A had significantly greater symptoms of hunger; however, they also had fasted for significantly longer (P less than 0.002).
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