The effect of sodium citrate on the pH and the amount of gastric contents before general anaesthesia.

Sixty patients were prospectively studied with respect to the volume and pH of their gastric contents after allocation to one of three preoperative treatments. All patients received diazepam (Apozepam) 5 mg the night before operation and 10 mg at 06.30 on the morning of operation. One group received sodium citrate solution 50 ml perorally at 06.30, 75-370 min before operation. A second group received water 50 ml perorally at 06.30, 100-405 min before operation. The third group received 50 ml water at 06.30 and 50 ml sodium citrate solution perorally just before admission to the operation theatre, 15-50 min before aspiration. Statistical analysis showed elevated pH and volume of gastric contents in the group receiving water in the morning and sodium citrate solution just before admission to the operating theatre immediately after induction of anaesthesia. There was no statistically significant difference of pH and aspirated volume between the group receiving water and the group receiving sodium citrate at 06.30.