Reducing the Risk of Acid Aspiration During Cesarean Section

Abstract

Acid-aspiration pneumonitis is a significant cause of anesthetic maternal mortality. A study of 100 patients for cesarean section (c-section) showed that the presence of a high gastric content volume or a low pH cannot be excluded in any patient, irrespective of the time between the last meal and either onset of labor or delivery. Patients for elective c-section are equally, if not more, at risk. Administration of oral antacid within 4 hours of inducing anesthesia did not affect the gastric content volume but significantly raised the pH. The number of patients at risk of developing acid-aspiration pneumonitis was reduced tenfold. The authors conclude that every parturient should receive oral antacid before induction of general anesthesia.