[Significance of patient's position in measuring gastric contents]

We evaluated the significance of patient's position in the measurement of gastric contents at the induction of anesthesia (n = 18). After the induction of general anesthesia with tracheal intubation, a nasogastric tube (16F) was inserted into the stomach. Presence of the tube within the stomach was verified by ausculation of injected air. Gastric fluid was aspirated with the patient supine and then in the right and left lateral decubitus positions. The existence of the gastric content which can not be aspirated with supine position was confirmed. We conclude that it is necessary to place the patient on bilateral decubitus positions besides supine to evaluate the volume of the gastric content correctly.