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Why can't patients eat or drink before surgery?

author:Song Pharmacist

#为什么术前病人不能吃喝?##头条创作挑战赛#在进行手术前, doctors usually ask people to fast and fast, which is called preoperative fasting. This instruction can be confusing or even uncomfortable for many patients, but it is based on important considerations to ensure the safety of the procedure.

Why can't patients eat or drink before surgery?

Medical basis for preoperative fasting

  1. Prevention of aspiration pneumonia: intraoperative patients may require general anesthesia, which is often accompanied by muscle relaxation, including the esophageal sphincter. If people have contents in their stomachs, they can be avoided, under general anesthesia, into the trachea and into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia, a serious complication that can lead to lung infections and even death.
  2. Reduces complications during surgery: The presence of food in the stomach can increase the risk of using certain anesthetic drugs during surgery. For example, the acidity of gastric contents can affect the efficacy of certain medications, while increasing the complexity and risk of the anesthetic process.
Why can't patients eat or drink before surgery?

Timing and norms of fasting

According to the guidelines of the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), preoperative fasting times for adults and children are as follows:

  • Solid food: Do not eat solid food for at least 6 hours before surgery.
  • Clear liquids: including water, fruit juice (no pulp), tea or coffee (no dairy), should be discontinued within 2 to 4 hours before surgery.

These time regulations are based on the consideration of the average gastric emptying time and the type of food, with the aim of ensuring that there is no food left in the stomach at the beginning of the procedure.

Why can't patients eat or drink before surgery?

The importance of compliance

Data show that patients who do not follow fasting instructions before surgery are at significantly increased risk of aspiration pneumonia under general anesthesia. For example, one study showed that aspiration pneumonia was more than three times more common in patients who did not strictly adhere to preoperative fasting guidelines.

Why can't patients eat or drink before surgery?

conclusion

Preoperative fasting is an important medical practice that is based on the purpose of reducing intraoperative risks and improving surgical safety. While this may be inconvenient for the patient, following the doctor's guidance is a crucial step in ensuring that the surgery goes smoothly.