Effect of Preoperative Ingestion of Orange Juice on pH and Volume of Gastric Contents

Objective: To establish the effects of orange juice (pulp free) on residual gastric volume, when it was used during preoperative period till 3 hours before the induction of general anaesthesia. Method: In this comparative study 150 patients were divided into two groups of 75 each. In the first group patients were kept fasting after midnight, while in other group the patients were allowed 200 ml of standard pulp free orange juice till 3 hours before induction of general anaesthesia. Residual gastric volume was collected from the stomach via an orogastric tube after induction of anaesthesia. Volume was noted and pH measured. Before induction patients were asked about their feeling of thirst and hunger or any other problem. Thirst and hunger were categorized into mild, moderate and severe. Results: There was no significant difference in volume and pH of residual gastric volume in the two groups. Moreover in group II there was notable reduction in the feeling of thirst and hunger as compared to the fasting group. Conclusion: Use of orange juice till 3 hours before induction of general anaesthesia does not compromise the safety regarding regurgitation and aspiration, while it considerably reduced the feeling of thirst and hunger from fasting.