comparison of the effects of erythromycin and metoclopramide on gastric fluid volume and pH in patients undergoing elective caesarean section

ABSTRACT

To compare the effects of erythromycin and metoclopramide on gastric fluid volume and pH in patients undergoing elective caesarean section. Randomized, controlled trial. The study was conducted in Gynaecology Ward and Operation Theatre, Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar from July 2009 to June 2010. We recruited 144 patients, ASA grades I and II, scheduled to undergo elective caesarean section and divided them in two equal groups of 72 patients each by simple random sampling. Patients in group A were given tablet erythromycin 250 mg and patients in group B were given tablet metoclopramide 10 mg orally with 10ml of water one hour before surgery. Both groups were then compared in terms of gastric fluid volume and gastric pH according to Robert and Shirleys' criteria, using a cut off value of 25 ml and pH 2.5, respectively. Statistical analysis was done by applying Chi-Square test and Students' T- test. Among the patients of group A 87.5% patients had acceptable volume [25ml] and 62.5% patients had acceptable pH of gastric fluid [pH >= 2.5]. In group B patients 69.4% patients had acceptable gastric fluid volume and 19.4% patients had acceptable pH of gastric fluid. Oral erythromycin reduces gastric fluid volume more effectively than metoclopramide, if given one hour before surgery. Erythromycin increases while metoclopramide has no effect on the pH of gastric fluid