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Metoclopramide given pre-operatively empties the stomach.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|April 1, 1985
Summary
Metoclopramide effectively reduces the risk of pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia by ensuring a less full stomach before surgery. This study found significantly fewer patients with a full stomach after metoclopramide administration.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gastric stasis poses a significant risk of pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia.
- Ensuring gastric emptying is crucial for patient safety in emergency surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of metoclopramide in reducing gastric volume before anesthesia.
- To assess the potential of metoclopramide to mitigate aspiration risk in orthopedic surgery patients.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, randomized study of 60 adult patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery.
- Intravenous administration of 20 mg metoclopramide or placebo 90 minutes prior to premedication.
- Barium sulfate X-ray examination to assess gastric fullness before anesthesia.
Main Results:
- Ten out of 57 patients (all in the placebo group) presented with a full stomach.
- Metoclopramide significantly reduced the incidence of a full stomach (P < 0.002).
Conclusions:
- Single-dose intravenous metoclopramide effectively promotes gastric evacuation before anesthesia.
- Metoclopramide administration can significantly reduce the risk of gastric content aspiration during anesthesia.