Fasting times and gastric contents volume in children undergoing deep propofol sedation – an assessment using magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of fasting times for clear fluids and solids/non-clear fluids on gastric content volume using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic MRI under deep propofol sedation, with the stomach located within the area of diagnostic study, were included in this clinical observational study. According to standard institutional guidelines, children were allowed to eat/drink until 4 h and to drink clear fluids until 2 h before scheduled induction time of anesthesia. Gastric content volume per kg body weight (GCV(w)) was determined using MRI and compared with actual fasting times prior to induction. RESULTS: Overall 68 patients aged from 0.3 to 19.6 (2.8) years were investigated. Fasting time for clear fluids ranged from 1.1 to 15.5 (5.5) h, for non-clear fluids/solids from 4.0 to 20.2 (6.7) h. GCV(w) ranged from 0.2 to 6.3 (0.75) ml·kg(-1) and showed no significant negative correlation to fasting times for clear fluids (r = -0.07, P = 0.60) and non-clear fluids/solids (r = -0.08, P = 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this preliminary data, GCV(w) showed considerable variation but did not correlate with fasting times in children and adolescent patients. Recommended fasting times were often exceeded.