If you’re scheduled for surgery, you’ve likely been told to fast beforehand. It might seem strange, especially if your surgery isn’t stomach-related. However, this instruction is crucial for your safety. Let’s explore why doctors insist on an empty stomach before you undergo a surgical procedure.
The primary reason for pre-surgery fasting is to mitigate the risks associated with anesthesia. Anesthesia, while essential for pain management and relaxation during surgery, can temporarily compromise your body’s natural reflexes, including those that protect your airway and lungs.
When you eat or drink, your stomach contains food and liquids. Normally, your body prevents these contents from entering your lungs. However, anesthesia can weaken this protective mechanism. If stomach contents, whether food or stomach acid, enter your lungs during or after surgery, it’s a serious complication known as aspiration. Aspiration is rare, but it can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory problems, which can be dangerous.
The type of food or liquid consumed also matters. Solid foods take significantly longer to leave the stomach compared to clear liquids. This difference in digestion time is why fasting guidelines differentiate between solids and liquids. Generally, you’ll be asked to abstain from solid foods for at least eight hours before surgery. Clear liquids, such as water, clear juice (without pulp), and black coffee, are usually allowed until about two hours before your procedure. This is because clear liquids empty from the stomach more rapidly and help keep you hydrated and more comfortable before surgery. Some studies even suggest that allowing clear carbohydrate-rich drinks up to two hours before surgery can be beneficial.
For infants and young children, the fasting guidelines are slightly different to balance safety with their nutritional needs. Breast milk might be permissible up to four hours before surgery, while formula may need to be stopped six hours prior, and solid foods eight hours before. It’s crucial to get precise fasting instructions from your child’s doctor or nurse as these can vary based on age and health status.
What happens if you accidentally eat or drink before surgery? In most cases, if you haven’t adhered to the fasting guidelines, your surgery will likely be postponed or rescheduled. This is not to penalize you, but to ensure your safety. Proceeding with surgery when the stomach isn’t empty increases the risk of aspiration. The only exception is in emergency situations where surgery is life-saving and cannot be delayed. In such cases, the medical team will take extra precautions to minimize the risk of aspiration.
Beyond fasting, it’s vital to follow all pre-operative instructions provided by your healthcare team. These instructions are carefully designed to minimize risks, prevent complications like infections, and promote a smoother and faster recovery. This includes guidelines on medications. You’ll receive specific advice on which medications to continue or stop before surgery. Some medications might need to be held, while others, especially those for chronic conditions, are crucial to continue. You might also be prescribed new medications to take before surgery, potentially as part of pain management strategies.
In conclusion, fasting before surgery is a critical safety measure to prevent aspiration. Always adhere strictly to the fasting guidelines and all other pre-operative instructions given by your medical team. These guidelines are in place to protect you and ensure the best possible outcome for your surgery. If you have any questions or are unsure about any pre-operative instructions, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or nurse for clarification.
