Question: What 5 factors increase the risk of aspiration?

Answer

Question: What 5 factors increase the risk of aspiration?

Answer: Table 1 shows these factors.

The physiological changes of pregnancy place the mother at increased risk of aspiration of gastric contents.

The consequences of aspiration depend on the pH, volume and particulate nature of the fluid aspirated.

The patient may develop chemical pneumonitis with collapse and consolidation. It is often associated with difficult intubation but also occurs at extubation if the tube is removed before return of airway reflexes.

Avoidance of general anaesthesia is the best way to prevent aspiration, although it may also occur in women who have depressed levels of consciousness for other reasons eg after an eclamptic fit.

Question: What other measures can reduce the serious effects of aspiration in obstetric patients?

Answer

  1. Inadequate starvation period
  2. Decreased gastric motility:
    1. Pregnancy in labour
    2. Trauma
    3. Opioid administration
    4. Anxiety
    5. Diabetes
  3. Decreased effectiveness of lower oesophageal sphincter
    1. Gastro-oesophageal reflux
    2. Pregnancy
  4. Increased intra-abdominal pressure
    1. Obesity
    2. Laparoscopic surgery
    3. Pregnancy
  5. Inadequate anaesthesia
Table 1 Factors increasing the risk of aspiration

Question: What 5 factors increase the risk of aspiration?

Answer: Table 1 shows these factors.

The physiological changes of pregnancy place the mother at increased risk of aspiration of gastric contents.

The consequences of aspiration depend on the pH, volume and particulate nature of the fluid aspirated.

The patient may develop chemical pneumonitis with collapse and consolidation. It is often associated with difficult intubation but also occurs at extubation if the tube is removed before return of airway reflexes.

Avoidance of general anaesthesia is the best way to prevent aspiration, although it may also occur in women who have depressed levels of consciousness for other reasons eg after an eclamptic fit.

Question: What other measures can reduce the serious effects of aspiration in obstetric patients?

Answer: Table 2 shows these measures.

  • Ranitidine 150 mg orally every 6 hrs in labour
  • Sodium citrate 30 ml of 0.3 molar solution just before preoxygenation

Table 2 Other measures to reduce serious effects of aspiration in obstetrics patients

Question: What 5 factors increase the risk of aspiration?

Answer: Table 1 shows these factors.

The physiological changes of pregnancy place the mother at increased risk of aspiration of gastric contents.

The consequences of aspiration depend on the pH, volume and particulate nature of the fluid aspirated.

The patient may develop chemical pneumonitis with collapse and consolidation. It is often associated with difficult intubation but also occurs at extubation if the tube is removed before return of airway reflexes.

Avoidance of general anaesthesia is the best way to prevent aspiration, although it may also occur in women who have depressed levels of consciousness for other reasons eg after an eclamptic fit.

Question: What other measures can reduce the serious effects of aspiration in obstetric patients?

Answer: Table 2 shows these measures.

  1. Inadequate starvation period
  2. Decreased gastric motility:
    1. Pregnancy in labour
    2. Trauma
    3. Opioid administration
    4. Anxiety
    5. Diabetes
  3. Decreased effectiveness of lower oesophageal sphincter
    1. Gastro-oesophageal reflux
    2. Pregnancy
  4. Increased intra-abdominal pressure
    1. Obesity
    2. Laparoscopic surgery
    3. Pregnancy
  5. Inadequate anaesthesia
Table 1 Factors increasing the risk of aspiration