Assessment of Effect of Various Modes of Premedication on Acid Aspiration Risk Factors in Outpatient Surgery

Abstract

Stress and emotional upset increase gastric acid production and gastric volume (1,2). The presurgical period is stressful for most patients, and this may increase gastric fluid and acid production. Analyses of gastric contents after induction of anesthesia in nonobese adult outpatients undergoing elective surgery have demonstrated a significant proportion of patients to be at potential risk of acid aspiration syndrome (3,4). The effects of various types and modes of premedication (meperidine, diazepam, orally, intravenously, intramuscularly) on gastric acidity and volume are controversial (5–12). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not various premedication regimens influence the risk of aspiration in outpatients undergoing elective surgery.