Ultrasound evaluation of gastric residual volume in fasting end-stage renal failure patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the gastric contents and gastric residual volume in patient with end-stage renal failure by gastric ultrasound.

DESIGN: Prospective observational study.

SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital.

PATIENTS: Adults of either gender with BMI < 40 kg/m2 with end-stage renal failure scheduled to undergo arteriovenous graft or fistula.

INTERVENTIONS & MEASUREMENTS: The cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum was measured by gastric ultrasound with patient in both supine and right lateral decubitus positions. The volume of the gastric contents were calculated using suitable validated formula. In addition, the nature of the gastric contents was also determined by gastric ultrasound.

MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of delayed gastric emptying was found to be 57.7% in the population studied despite following the prescribed preoperative standard fasting guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of delayed gastric emptying in patients with end-stage renal failure presenting for surgery which may predispose them to risk of pulmonary aspiration perioperatively.