Comparison of Preoperative Gastric Contents between Gestational Diabetic and Normal Pregnant Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Delivery / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Delayed gastric emptying occurs frequently in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate preoperative gastric acidity and volume in parturients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) undergoing elective cesarean delivery. METHODS: Twenty-five full term gravid women with GDM (GDM group) and another twenty-five without any complication (control group) were recruited. Before the anesthesia, a 14-F multiorifice nasogastric tube was inserted and the gastric contents were directly aspirated. RESULTS: There were no differences in the aspirated gastric pH and volumes between the groups (2.6 pH with 29.9 ml in the control group vs. 2.5 pH with 29.8 ml in the GDM group). The numbers of patients at-risk for aspiration, pH 25 ml in the two groups were similar (9/25, 36% in the GDM group, 7/25, 28% in the control group). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes does not increase the risk of aspiration pneumonitis compared to the normal pregnant women in elective cesarean delivery.