Prolonged preoperative fasting periods prescribed by residents in pediatric anesthesia

Abstract

References1 Mü ller M, Akintü rk H, Schindler E et al. A combined stage 1 and 2 repair for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: anaesthetic considerations.

Dose minimization study of single‐dose epidural morphine in patients undergoing hip surgery under regional anesthesia with bupivacaine

“…It is probably for this reason that prolonged fasting periods were prescribed. This practice was also previously identified in a survey among Mexican general anesthesiologists (21), and unfortunately was also confirmed among residents of pediatric anesthesia (22). In this study, the prolonged preoperative fasting periods were, on average, >8 h in the three groups.…”

Randomized trial comparing overnight preoperative fasting period Vs oral administration of apple juice at 06:00–06:30 am in pediatric orthopedic surgical patients

“…Mexican general anesthesiologists are still recommending substantially prolonged fasting periods for adult and pediatric patients (2), and the order of ‘NPO after midnight’ has been a routine practice among residents of pediatric anesthesia allowing 50% of patients to undergo a preoperative fasting period of ≥13 h (3). Although the exact time at which the surgical procedure is initiated may directly affect the preoperative fasting time, our study showed that oral administration of apple juice at 06:00–06:30 am of the surgical morning prevented dehydration and favored positive behavior.…”

“…However, in a survey recently performed among Mexican general anesthesiologists it was noticed that prolonged preoperative fasting periods, especially those related to clear liquids, are still being prescribed to surgical adult and pediatric patients (2). The practice was recently confirmed by an audit performed at the Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gó mez (HIM) where 50% of pediatric surgical patients underwent fasting periods for clear liquids for ‡13 h (3).…”