Gastric ultrasound assessment of two preoperative fasting regimens in pediatric patients: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background Preoperative fasting aims to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. Our aim was to compare the incidence of increased gastric content after preoperative liberal versus a standard fasting in children. Method Two hundred children, presented for elective surgeries, were instructed to follow either 6‐4‐2 (standard group) or 6‐4‐0 (liberal group) preoperative fasting regimens. Preoperative ultrasound was used to evaluate gastric contents. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an “at‐risk stomach.” Secondary outcomes included qualitative and quantitative gastric assessment, last meal, actual fasting duration, regurgitation, vomiting, aspiration incidence, surgery cancellation rate, and complications of prolonged fasting (e.g., hunger). Results The actual fasting duration was significantly longer than prescribed in each group ( p < 0.001 for both groups) and was significantly longer in the standard group (CI 95% : 0.744–2.016, medium effect size η 2 = 0.068). In the liberal group, 3% of patients had an “at‐risk stomach,” and 2% of cases were canceled. Qualitative gastric assessment was comparable between the two groups (OR 1.536, CI 95% : 0.883–2.670, low effect size Cramer V = 0.139). However, the estimated gastric volume/weight ratio was significantly increased in the standard group (CI 95% : 0.114–0.214; large effect size η 2 = 0.171). In the standard group, 9% of patients were hungry, and 10% were thirsty; no patients experienced adverse effects in either group. Conclusion Prolonged preoperative fasting may be unnecessary. The 6‐4‐0 fasting regimen can be applied to pediatric patients before elective surgeries without increasing the incidence of “at risk stomach,” but further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these results. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (Trial no.: NCT04961814).