Determining a Safe Time for Oral Intake Following Pediatric Sedation

• Main Authors: Yunus Oktay Atalay, Cengiz Kaya, Ersin Koksal, Yasemin Burcu Ustun, Leman Tomak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dicle University Medical School 2016-03-01
• Series: Dicle Medical Journal
• Subjects: Sedation; oral intake
• Online Access: http://www.diclemedj.org/upload/sayi/59/Dicle%20Med%20J-02979.pdf

Objective: While there are suggestions for oral hydra­tion times after general anesthesia, there is no published study with regard to sedation. The aim of this prospective study was to determine a safe time for oral intake after pediatric sedation and its association with nausea and vomiting after discharge. Methods: A total of 180 children (aged 1 month to 13 years) sedated for magnetic resonance imaging were randomly assigned into three groups. All patients fasted for 6 hours and were allowed to take clear fluids until 2 hours before sedation with thiopental (3 mg/kg). After the patients were transported to the recovery room, we al­lowed the patients to drink as much clear fluids as they wanted prior to discharge in group I, 1 hour after the pa­tients met the discharge criteria for group II, and 2 hours after the patients met the discharge criteria for group III. All patients were assessed for vomiting in the recovery room until 1 hour after their first oral hydration. The par­ents were then telephoned the next day and questioned regarding nausea/vomiting and any unanticipated hospi­tal admission. Results: There were no statistically significant intergroup differences with respect to age, sex, weight, or the ASA status. There was no nausea and vomiting in either the recovery or post discharge period in any group. In the telephone questionnaire, no hospital admissions were reported. Conclusion: Oral hydration just before discharge is safe, and fasting children after discharge for a period of time is unnecessary for patients sedated with thiopental.