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Preoperative Fasting and Patients’ Discomfort

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Indian Journal of Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Excessive fasting times before surgery continue to be a widespread practice in Turkey. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between traditional fasting policies and preoperative patient discomfort. Patients included were undergoing breast, hernia, thyroid, or abdominal operations at a general surgery clinic. Participants were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical statuses I and II. A Likert-type scale was used to describe the effects of midnight fasting. Peripheral blood sugar and vital signs were measured immediately before induction of anesthesia. Of 164 participants, mean age was 53.56 ± 13.47 years. Mean preoperative fasting times were 13.34 ± 3.07 h for solids and 12.44 ± 2.82 h for fluids. Immediately before surgery, 6.1% of patients were extremely thirsty, 5.5% were hungry, and 39% had mild dryness of the mouth. There was a weak positive correlation between total duration of solid fasting and thirst, hunger, mouth dryness, and weakness immediately preoperatively. Prolonged fasting before surgery was associated with patients’ discomfort. Current evidence-based guidelines for preoperative fasting may improve patients’ satisfaction.

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Acknowledgements

The manuscript has been read and approved by all authors and that all authors agree to the submission of the manuscript. All authors must have agreed on the final version of the paper and must meet at least one of the commended by the International Council of Medical Journal Editors criteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Science, University of Health Science, Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şahane, Selimiye Mah. Tıbbiye Cad. No:38, Üsküdar, 34668, Istanbul, Turkey

    Asiye Gul

  2. Faculty of Health Science, Karabuk University, Demir-Çelik Kampüsü, 78050, Karabuk, Turkey

    Isil Isik Andsoy

  3. General Surgery Unit, Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Zuhuratbaba Mh. Tevfik Sağlam Cad. No: 11, 34740, Bakirkoy, Turkey

    Birgul Ozkaya

Authors
  1. Asiye Gul
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  2. Isil Isik Andsoy
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  3. Birgul Ozkaya
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Correspondence to Asiye Gul.

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The institutional review board approved the study protocol (BEAH: 2013-06).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Gul, A., Andsoy, I.I. & Ozkaya, B. Preoperative Fasting and Patients’ Discomfort. Indian J Surg 80, 549–553 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-017-1657-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-017-1657-4

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