The aim of this study is to perform bedside gastric point of care ultrasound (POCUS) exams to assess the gastric volume and content (clear liquids vs solid food) perioperatively in patients who report cannabis use.
Cannabis use in the United States has continued to increase in recent years, particularly in the adult population. Ease of access through legalization paired with improved public perception has contributed to the uptick in cannabis use. The subset of cannabis users suffering from pain who present for surgery pose a risk for perioperative aspiration due to the slowing of gastric motility due to cannabis use. There is currently no adapted NPO guideline to account for cannabis use. Gastric Ultrasound (GUS) can be used as a bedside tool for assessing a patient's stomach contents and risk of aspiration. GUS can identify whether a patient's stomach is empty or filled with clear liquid, thick liquid, or solid food. The volume of the stomach can be accurately calculated if there is clear liquid content. A full stomach is categorized as those with solid or thick liquid content or with clear liquid measuring more than 1.5 ml/kg body weight. As GUS is noninvasive and does not pose risk to patients, it is a useful tool assessing aspiration risk in the preoperative period.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
A gastric ultrasound is a simple, fast, non-invasive bedside diagnostic test that provides a qualitative and quantitative assessment of gastric contents. There are no known risks of a gastric ultrasound exam.
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, New York, United States
Incidence of delayed gastric emptying
A full stomach on gastric ultrasound is defined by the presence of either solid food, thick liquids, or a specific volume (\>1.5 ml/kg) of clear liquids on gastric ultrasound.
Time frame: This will be measured pre-operatively in the holding room area.
Nothing by mouth (NPO) intervals
Measure the NPO interval after last solid food and liquid consumption
Time frame: This will be measured pre-operatively in the holding room area.
Presence of gastric peristalsis
Gastric peristalsis will be graded as absent, slow, or normal on gastric ultrasound
Time frame: This will be measured pre-operatively in the holding room area.
Time interval since last cannabis use
Measure the time from last cannabis consumption to the time the gastric ultrasound was performed
Time frame: This will be measured pre-operatively in the holding room area.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.