Point-of-care ultrasound defines gastric content and changes the anesthetic management of elective surgical patients who have not followed fasting instructions: a prospective case series
Hypothesis: POC gastric US would change the anesthetic plan in at least 30% of patients who did not follow the NPO guidelines
Methods: Thirty-eight patients who did not follow preop fasting guidelines for elective surgery underwent point-of-care gastric ultrasound to estimate their gastric volume and contents. These results were given to the patients’ attending anesthesiologists who could change their anesthetic plan with this new information.
Results (1-2 sentences describing the primary outcome and any other outcomes that are especially important): Seventy-one percent of anesthetic plans were changed. Forty percent of patients were changed to a more liberal plan consistent with a lower aspiration risk than originally anticipated while 31% had were changed to a more conservative plan consistent with higher than anticipated risk.
Strengths (Usually explicitly listed in the PowerPoint): Investigated a common and relevant question, externally generalizable
Weaknesses (Usually explicitly listed in the PowerPoint): Small sample size, single-center study
Key Point: Preoperative gastric ultrasound exams can be used to change the anesthetic plan in patients who haven’t followed fasting guidelines.