Evaluation of gastric acid in dependence of pre-operative fasting.

Introduction It is generally accepted that fasting reduces the risk of regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents during induction of anaesthesia and surgery. Children, like adults, are required to fast before general anaesthesia to reduce volume and acidity of their stomach contents [1]. Fasting while waiting for surgery can be a stressful event for the children and their parents. To be removed from their daily routine and potential fear of the procedure, sometimes also aggravated by their nervous parents, can cause anxiety as well as uncooperative behaviour, which might endanger the safe performances of the anesthesiological and surgical procedures. To prevent long-lasting fasting ‘Nutricia preOP’ a carbohydrate containing drink was introduced [2].