Review of evidence and clinical practice on short versus long fasting times
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26871/ceus.v6i3.225Keywords:
fasting, diet, fasting preoperativeAbstract
Introduction: preoperative fasting is a period of time in which no food can be ingested in order to minimize perioperative risks. Objective: the aim of this study was to gather evidence on fasting times in order to define an optimal fasting schedule, as well as to know which adjuvants can improve the patient's results and stay. Methods: we conducted a literature review on preoperative fasting, applying search strategies. Results: 59 articles were identified from which 47 were selected that met the assigned inclusion and exclusion criteria. Many clinical practice guidelines recommend less prolonged fasts than the traditional ones. Within the perioperative period, the moment of greatest risk for bronchial aspiration is the anesthetic induction, the main risk factors for bronchial aspiration being a full stomach, abdominal pain, diabetes, trauma related to hypomotility and intestinal obstructions. Conclusions: a preoperative fasting period of 6 hours for solids is recommended for both adults and children, 2 hours of liquids for adults and 1 hour for children. In infants it is advisable to administer breast milk for up to 4 hours and formula milk for up to 6 hours. In addition, the administration of a carbohydrate drink 2 hours before anesthetic induction.
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