[Myths in Anaesthesia - Liberal Clear Liquid Fasting Regimens]

Abstract

International guidelines recommend encouraging patients to drink up to two hours before induction of anaesthesia. But why are patients still fasting for up to a median of 12 hours? Are liberal clear liquid fasting regimens harmful to patients or considered "best clinical practice"? Gastric emptying of clear liquids is very fast, exponential and proportional to the current filling of the stomach. There is no evidence of a link between drinking clear liquids and the risk of aspiration. As a result, more and more hospitals are allowing their patients to drink clear liquids until they are called for surgery. Since 2021, "SipTilSend" has become best practice in the UK and the concept of fasting cards has been awarded by patient safety organisations in 2024.