[A comparison of the effects of omeprazole with those of ranitidine on intragastric pH and volume in patients for elective surgeries].

This study compared the effect of omeprazole with those of ranitidine on intragastric secretion during perioperative period. Thirty-one patients were randomly allocated to three groups. Each group received either omeprazole, ranitidine orally or one on the night before surgery. Intragastric pH and volume were measured after induction of anesthesia. Omeprazole group and ranitidine group had a higher mean pH than control group (P less than 0.01). None of the omeprazole group had an aspirate of pH lower than 2.5. One patient (10%) in the ranitidine group and five patients (50%) in the control group and five patients (50%) in the control group had aspirates of pH lower than 2.5. Mean gastric volume was not significantly different among these groups. A single dose of omeprazole 20 mg significantly decreased the number of patients at risk of aspiration pneumonitis.