Assessment of Preoperative Fasting Time in Elective General Surgery

The aim of this review was to investigate the preoperative fasting time in elective surgical patients. We conducted a systematic literature review of preoperative fasting time in elective general surgery. Studies published in January 1990 to May 2013. “Starvation”, “fasting”, “adult” and “elective general surgery” key words used for this study. The search was limited to articles publish in English and Turkish. Twelve (n=12) studies were included in the review (randomized controlled trial n=6, cross-sectional n=5, non-randomized trial n=1). The mean duration of fasting is 12-14 hours for solid and liquids. Preoperative drinking doesn’t increase the risk of aspiration, regurgitation or related morbidity compared with the standard fasting policy. Patients often fast for longer than required. Appropriate preoperative fasting improves postoperative outcome.