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Prolonged starvation in paediatric surgery
1Department of Surgical and Anaesthetic Sciences, Sheffield University, Western Bank.
Anaesthesia
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Prolonged pre-operative starvation in children undergoing elective surgery is common, especially in those over one year old having morning procedures. Current guidelines should be revised to prevent unnecessary fasting in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Anesthesiology
- Patient Care
Background:
- Pre-operative fasting is a standard practice for pediatric surgical patients.
- Concerns exist regarding the duration and necessity of fasting in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the pre-operative fasting practices for children undergoing elective surgery.
- To identify instances of prolonged and unnecessary starvation in pediatric surgical patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 285 children's pre-operative preparation.
- Data collection focused on age, timing of surgery, and fasting duration.
Main Results:
- Prolonged and unnecessary pre-operative starvation was observed in a significant number of children.
- Children over 1 year of age with morning surgeries were particularly affected.
Conclusions:
- Current pre-operative starvation guidelines for pediatric patients are inadequate.
- A revision of fasting guidelines is necessary to improve child welfare and prevent unnecessary suffering.