Public Service Announcement
I was watching a program yesterday where a women was supposed to have a scheduled C-section. They were doing the pre-op questions..."have you had anything to eat or drink since midnight?" The answer was she had some raison bread toast for breakfast. The nurse put down her pen and told the women she just delayed her C-section for six hours. I can't go into details because of patient confidentiality but something like this happened and now a person is going to die because they also didn't listen and ate before surgery. When a person is put to sleep for surgery it also puts the stomach to sleep. When you eat and food is not being digested the body's natural reaction is to throw up. When you are put to sleep for surgery and throw up the only place for the food to go is into the breathing tube that is down your throat...the breathing tube that you inhale through...that the food that you throw up will go into...which will take it into the lungs. If you are lucky, you will just end up with pneumonia. If not it could kill you. I could lose my job because I released too much information (although this could be hundreds of people) but if I can save one persons life it would be worth it. |
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| Thanks for the important information. But let's not confuse expectant moms who may have to have an elective c-section. The mother is typically awake and not sedated to the point where a breathing tube is inserted. A targeted anesthesia is performed, that numbs the belly on down to the toes. |
| I don't see why anyone would break the rules before something as dangerous as surgery... |
HappyOES family wrote: Thanks for the important information. But let's not confuse expectant moms who may have to have an elective c-section. The mother is typically awake and not sedated to the point where a breathing tube is inserted. A targeted anesthesia is performed, that numbs the belly on down to the toes. You never know if something may go wrong and you then have to go under general anesthesia. There is a reason they ask you not to eat or drink. |
| I investigate complaints about medical practititioners and I surprised at the number of people who ignore their practitioner's request not to eat or dirink before a procedure. When emergency surgery is required ie an emergency c section the anaesthetist is aware of the increased risk and can alter the anaesthetic. However the patient is also made aware that there is an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia. If however the anaesthetist is not aware that their patient has recently consumed food or drink then they are unable to take the appropriate precautions or delay the procedure until a more appropriate time. It is important to both obey the pre op instructions and to be honest with your medical practitioner for your own safety |
That is so sad.  When I was 17 I needed emergency surgery, they asked me (around 9AM, give or take) if I had anything to eat and I told them that I had a piece of cheese around 5AM. As a result as they put me under, the anesthetist pushed down hard to close my trach / food pipe / whatever it's called to prevent me from regurgitating... well, that's how I remember it anyway. It was about 33 years ago. |
| I had the pressure on my throat done each time in my surgeries last year, Ron. So I think that's fairly common (I had not eaten or had anything to drink, but I have a strong propensity to vomit so they took the extra precautions). In fact, on my last surgery they said no food or water after midnight - I didn't have any after 6pm the following evening, and I was still in post-op heaving for five hours. They said I did heave and try to vomit during surgery too but nothing came up. So I am definitely a believer in this advice. If you have lead time for surgery (not a life-saving emergency), do not eat or drink before! |
| I thought that the tubes they use for ventilation have balloons that are inflated to specifically prevent aspiration. So I guess I really don't understand the whole issue, having never attended med (or nursing) school. |
| The tubes used for intubation are called endotracheal tubes. The main purpose of an endo tube is to maintain the airway. They do have an inflatable balloon, called a collar, that is used to seal off the rest of the airway to prevent leakage of anesthesia or other meds administered through the tube. It is also supposed to help stop stomach contents from coming back up the airway, but is not always successful. I cannot imagine disregarding a doctor's pre-surgical orders. That is just crazy to me. I don't disregard pre-surgical orders for Oscar, for Pete's sake! Laurie and Oscar |
| Sometimes people just don't realize how literally they need to take the "no food or drink" direction. A friend of mine was a surgical technician, and they were getting ready to anesthetize a 17 year old girl. They asked her if she had anything to eat or drink after midnight, and she said no. Put her under, and she immediately regurgitated. The couldn't do the surgery, and she wound up with pneumonia. She didn't think that the tiny glass of orange juice she had that morning counted as "a meal," so she didn't tell them (or her parents) about it. Water is particularly bad. Most people don't think a glass of water really counts, the way milk or coffee would. |
| Good info. I can't imagine not listening to pre-op orders!! I had a c-section scheduled and ended up getting a last minute general sedation. So it can happen. |
| when I did pre op instructions to a patient I explained no food or drink That means nothing down your throat.no coke no OJ no toast no steak no nothing:):) BUT patients that need a "sip" to take meds could do so. Some people do not understand when you say no food or drink The NPO is nothing by mouth NOTHING and of course the results if not followed can be disasterous. and yes you all are right people do not listen so why do we medical professionals tell them this????? |
I'm a little confused by the water issue...every time my dogs have gone for surgery the vet has said to go ahead and keep water available  |
| That surprises me, my Vet always told me to take the water up. |
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