J Korean Med Sci.  2005 Apr;20(2):232-235. 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.2.232.

Effects of Preoperative Anxiety on Gastric Fluid Acidity and Volume

• Hong JY
• Oh JI

• KMID: 1095196
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2005.20.2.232

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative anxiety on the gastric pH and volume. We studied 96 female patients aged 16-60 yr who underwent elective gynecological surgery. We classified the subjects into 2 groups, those presenting preoperative anxiety scores using visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-10) less than 5 (L-group, n=59), and those with 5 and more (H-group, n=37). Immediately after tracheal intubation, gastric contents were aspirated using a 14-F multiorifice nasogastric tube. The gastric acidity and volume of the two groups were not statistically different. Mean pH were 3.0+/-1.8 and 3.0+/-2.0 in each group (L-group and H-group) and mean gastric volume (mL) were 15.3 +/-11.7 and 11.8 +/-11.8, respectively. Nine (15.3%) patients in the L-group were considered to be 'at risk i.e. gastric pH <2.5 and volume >25 mL' and one patient (2.7%) in the H-group (p<0.05). The mean serum gastrin concentrations in both groups were similar (21.6+/-9.8 vs. 20.2+/-11.0 pg/mL). The pH and volume of preoperative gastric contents were not correlated with the preoperative anxiety. The results suggest that a low level of preoperative anxiety can be considered a risk factor for aspiration pneumonitis.

Keyword

Preoperative Care; Anxiety; Gastric Acid

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Anxiety/*metabolism
Female
*Gastric Acidity Determination
Gastric Juice/metabolism
Humans
Middle Aged

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Gastric pH and volume of gynecologic patients in low anxiety group (L-group, n=59) and high anxiety group (H-group, n=37). There were 9 (15.2%) patients considered to be 'at risk: pH <2.5 and volume >25 mL' in the L-group, and 1 (2.7%) in the H-group (p<0.05). Lines are drawn at pH=2.5 and volume=25 mL.

• 

  Fig. 2 Relationship between preoperative anxiety and gastric fluid. The pH (A) and volume (B) of preoperative gastric contents were not significantly associated with preoperative anxiety.

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