Analysis of the Occurrence of Complications in the Anesthetic Induction in Patients Submitted to the Abbreviation of Preoperative Fasting

Abstract

Preoperative overnight fasting was instituted at a time when anesthetic techniques were rudimentary, to prevent pulmonary complications associated with vomiting and aspiration of gastric contents. Recent studies show that reducing preoperative fasting time is a safe practice and does not increase the risk of bronchoaspiration during anesthetic induction. The use of a carbohydrate solution is also indicated, two to four hours before the operation, determining greater patient satisfaction, less irritability, reduced number of vomiting and less organic response to surgical stress. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of fasting abbreviation on complications during induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing head and neck surgery. It was observed that the highest prevalence of preoperative fasting time was between 2 and 4 hours. There were no symptoms of vomiting, intraoperative bronchoaspiration, salivary fistula and wound dehiscence in the postoperative period. The values for the occurrence of chylous fistula and postoperative symptoms were 0.92% and 7.34%, respectively. Analyzing the results, it was possible to verify that the abbreviation of preoperative fasting is safe. There were no complications such as bronchoaspiration, wound dehiscence, postoperative salivary fistula or intraoperative vomiting. The values for postoperative symptoms and chylous fistula were minimal.