The Feasibility of Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Gastric Content by Anesthesiology Residents Following Short Introduction

Introduction: Full stomach is a known predisposition factor to gastric content aspiration. However, gastric emptying time is variable and dependent on factors such as type and quantity of food ingested, pain and anxiety. Ultrasonography was suggested as a method for the assessment of gastric content. The purpose of the study was to examine whether anesthesiology residents can accurately assess gastric content following short training.

Methods: 10 PGY2 and PGY3 anesthesiology residents with experience in ultrasound intravenous access and ultrasound guided regional anesthesia had 1-hour introduction on the ultrasonographic evaluation of gastric content. Following the introduction, each resident examined blindly three volunteers with different NPO status: 6 hours without food or drink, 6 hours without food and 30 minutes following drinking, 30 minutes following food ingestion. Parameters measured included: correct diagnosis of the gastric content status and the quality of imaging (performed in the right lateral decubitus and sitting positions at the gastric antrum) as assessed blindly by an expert based on recordings of the ultrasound examinations.

Results: All 10 residents made the correct diagnosis of gastric content status in the 3 different volunteers. From 60 ultrasound images (10 residents, 2 examinations – sitting and lateral decubitus positions per volunteer) 36 [60%] were of good quality, 14 [24%] of moderate quality, and 10 [16%] of poor quality.

Conclusions: According to this preliminary study, anesthesiology residents with prior experience in the use of ultrasound can assess gastric content following short training although the quality of imaging acquired can be improved.