¿Debemos seguir indicando ayuno preoperatorio, en cirugía electiva?

Abstract

Preoperative fasting is a common practice in surgical units based on experience with patients who wereanesthesized with chloroform in order to prevent pulmonary complications associated to vomiting and broncho aspiration of gastric contents to the bronchial tree known as Mendelson's Syndrome. Passive regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration occur with more than 200 ml of gastric contents. Prolonged fasting (> 6-12 hours) promotes insulin resistance and increases surgical stress by extending length of stay and hospital costs.