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Effect of preoperative paracetamol on gastric volumes and pH in children
Author(s) -
Anderson Brian J.,
Rees Sheridan G.,
Liley Andrew,
Stewart Alistair W.,
Wardill Mark J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9592.1999.00348.x
Subject(s) - medicine , elixir (programming language) , anesthesia , stomach , elective surgery , analgesic , residual volume , surgery , gastroenterology , lung volumes , lung , computer science , programming language
Summary The effect preoperative paracetamol elixir has on gastric contents is unknown. Children presenting for elective adenotonsillectomy were randomized to receive either paracetamol elixir (40 mg·kg −1 ) 90 min before surgery or paracetamol suppositories (40 mg·kg −1 ) intraoperatively. Following induction of anaesthesia a 16 Fr multiple‐oriface orogastric tube was passed into the stomach and measure taken of the residual gastric volume and pH. The children had a mean age of 8.5 years ( SD 3.2) with a weight of 35 kg ( SD 16.5). Children given elixir ( n =41) had a mean residual gastric volume of 0.083 ml·kg −1 (95% CI; 0.006, 1.24) and a pH of 1.83 (95% CI; 0.75, 4.49), while those given suppositories ( n =40) had a mean residual gastric volume of 0.083 ml·kg −1 (95% CI; 0.008, 0.9) and a pH of 2.07 (95% CI; 0.84, 5.12). There was no significant difference between these two groups. Paracetamol elixir is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal system of children and preoperative administration has no effect on gastric contents. Given paracetamol's slow equilibration rate constant from the central to the effect compartment, children may be given this medication preoperatively for routine surgical procedures.