Assessment of pre-gastroscopy fasting period using ultrasonography

Discomfort is frequent in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy who are routinely recommended to abstain at least for 6 h from liquid or solid food prior to the procedure. We investigated the minimal period of time required for the stomach to clear fluids in order to define a safe minimal pre-endoscopy fasting period. Gastric emptying was sonographically assessed in 54 patients by measurement of the antrum surface area prior to, immediately after, and 30, 60, and 90 min after ingestion of 300 ml water and water containing 75 g glucose or apple juice. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed subsequently. Ingestion of water required 1 h for complete clearance. Three hundred milliliters glucose solution and apple juice were cleared more slowly, 90 min after drinking. Ingestion of water or glucose solution prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy in patients without a history of gastric emptying dysfunction is safe when observing a 90 min latency period and might prevent discomfort.