[Fasting times, ventricular aspiration and use of antacids and H2 blockaders at Danish departments of anesthesiology].

In a questionnaire sent to 58 anaesthetic departments in Denmark (1992/93), we assessed fasting guidelines, preoperative gastric emptying and the use of pharmacological aspiration prophylaxis. Replies were obtained from 51 departments (88%). Most departments (90%) fast adults for at least six hours prior to elective surgery. However, 14 departments (27%) plan to change their guidelines to allow the intake of clear liquid on the day of surgery. Eighteen departments (35%) hardly ever use preoperative gastric emptying prior to emergency surgery. The other departments differ as to when gastric emptying should be performed. Only few departments (25%) employ pharmacological prophylaxis.