Critical aspiration pneumonia during induction of anesthesia in elective abdominal surgery: a case report

We experienced the critical aspiration pneumonia during induction of anesthesia in elective abdominal surgery which standard fasting period was complied with.

A 64-year-old male was scheduled for gastrojejunostomy because of gastrointestinal obstruction. He fasted from the night before surgery. General anesthesia was induced, and cricoid pressure was applied during intubation. However, he vomited huge amount of gastric contents. The scheduled surgery was performed without surgical complications, and postoperatively respiratory management, including mechanical ventilation with prone positioning, was performed in high care unit. He was extubated on postoperative day 2. He was discharged from the hospital on POD 25.

The standard fasting period can prevent aspiration pneumonia in most cases. However, even in elective cases without abdominal symptoms, we consider that massive-volume gastric residual contents, especially in susceptible cases. We suggest that point-of-care gastric ultrasonography be performed in suspicious cases before induction of anesthesia.