Aspiration pneumonitis: predisposing conditions and prevention.

Aspiration pneumonitis is a common complication of general anesthesia. The lower the pH of gastric fluid and/or the larger the volume, the greater is the potential danger. In spite of preoperative fasting, an alarmingly high percentage of patients who undergo surgery may be at risk. This review discusses conditions that predispose to aspiration pneumonitis and examines current strategies for its prevention.