The aspiration syndrome

Abstract

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents poses a continuing hazard to obstetrical patients, resulting in needless loss of life in previously healthy women. Aspiration of significant volumes of acid, alkaline or food-containing gastric contents can cause serious morbidity and mortality. Efforts to reduce the incidence of this complication should be directed at: 1. Improved training of anaesthetic personnel in obstetric anaesthesia and use of more senior staff to cover obstetrical units. 2. Meticulous care in preanaesthetic evaluation of obstetrical patients to diagnose potential intubation problems. 3. More widespread use of regional anaesthesia for vaginal and caesarean delivery. 4. Administration of small doses of non-particulate antacids to obstetrical patients before anaesthesia. 5. Possible preoperative use of cimetidine or metoclopramide, or both.