How do trauma surgeons deal with the fact that the patients they operate on probably haven’t fasted the night before given that trauma patients don’t know in advance they’ll be having surgery?

Question

I know that with elective surgeries, patients have to fast the night before to prevent vomiting when they go under anesthetic, but I was wondering how this concern is navigated in trauma or emergency surgeries in which patients definitely didn’t fast the night before? Do they just try to deal with the vomit or is there a special procedure to prevent vomiting from occurring?

In: 1727

Answer 1

The reason they ask you to fast is because a lot of anesthetics make you puke. If you puke while unconscious, you can aspirate the vomit, and then you need medical attention and it’s just one more thing for them to deal with while you’re on the table.

So, they ask you to fast because it’s safer and easier for you and them. But it’s by no means a requirement.