Comparing the Gastric Emptying Times of Underweight and Healthy-weight School-aged Children

Overview

In the recent literature, preoperative fasting times for pediatric patients are limited to one hour for clear fluids. Studies related to gastric emptying times mostly searched for normal-weight children. These studies have claimed that 3 mL/kg of clear liquid can be allowed up to 1 hour before surgery. There is a lack of interest in the gastric emptying time of underweight pediatric patients during the preoperative period. Recent studies suggest that underweight children may experience rapid gastric emptying. This trial compares the gastric volume and emptying time after ingesting 3 mL/kg clear fluid in underweight and normal-weight pediatric patients in the preoperative period.

After receiving informed consent from the children and their families, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 1-2 pediatric patients between 6 and 14 years who will be recruited for elective surgery will be included in this study. The children under the 5% percentile will be accepted as underweight. After, the basal gastric volume will be calculated with the help of Ultrasonography (USG). The children will receive oral 3 mL/kg 5% dextrose. USG evaluation will be made every 5 minutes until the gastric volume reaches the basal level. Children reaching basal gastric volume will be accepted as suitable for the surgery. This study compares the gastric volume and emptying time after ingesting 3 mL/kg clear fluid in underweight and average-weight pediatric patients in the pre-operative period.

Conditions