No separate preoperative Fasting Guidelines required for Diabetics to prevent perioperative pulmonary aspiration: Study
Researchers have found that people with diabetes do not have higher gastric volumes than those without diabetes after following standard preoperative fasting instructions. The study was published in the journal Anaesthesiology by Perlas and colleagues. The findings offer reassurance that standard fasting instructions are effective for both diabetic and nondiabetic patients.
Preoperative fasting guidelines are in place to minimize the risk of perioperative pulmonary aspiration. The prospective study examined the gastric contents of individuals with and without diabetes following standard fasting guidelines: stopping solids 8 hours before surgery and clear liquids 2 hours prior. Participants underwent gastric ultrasound assessments of their gastric volumes. The study examined 84 individuals with diabetes (85% with type 2) and 96 without diabetes, all undergoing elective surgery and found no significant differences in gastric volume or in the proportion with a "full stomach" based on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) guidelines.
The key findings of the study were as follows:
• The mean gastric volume was 0.81 mL/kg in individuals with diabetes and 0.87 mL/kg in those without diabetes.
• A "full stomach" designation, as per ASA guidelines, was seen in 15.5% of individuals with diabetes and 11.5% without diabetes, indicating a similar risk for both groups.
• No significant difference in gastric volume between individuals with diabetes and those without after following preoperative fasting guidelines.
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