The indication for surgery determines its urgency and influences anaesthetic technique. This includes acceptable starvation periods.

Question: What are some reasons for fasting prior to Category 4 - Elective obstetric surgery?

Answer

The indication for surgery determines its urgency and influences anaesthetic technique. This includes acceptable starvation periods.

Question: What are some reasons for fasting prior to Category 4 - Elective obstetric surgery?

Answer: Pregnant women are at increased risk of aspiration. Under anaesthesia, patients cannot protect their own airway. They are therefore at risk of aspiration of gastric contents. This can result in substantial morbidity or death via:

• Physical blockage of airway by food particles
• Pneumonitis caused by gastric acid

Fasting before anaesthesia aims to reduce the volume of gastric contents and hence the risk of harm from aspiration.