Are ketones raised after prolonged pre-operative fasting?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Are ketones raised after prolonged pre-operative fasting?
IRAS ID
190012
Contact name
John Campbell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Southern HSC Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 11 days
Research summary
Patients presenting for surgical procedures under anaesthesia are required to fast prior to anaesthesia. This is to minimise stomach contents, in order to reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration into the lungs. Patients are asked to fast according to the Trust guidelines, which are based on National guidelines. In summary these are: no solid food within 6 hours of anaesthesia, except clear fluids which should be stopped 2 hours before anaesthesia3,4. Some patients present having fasted longer than this. Occasionally delays in operating lists extend this fasting time.
Operating times in this Trust (and elsewhere) have recently been changed to allow extended operating hours. The new fasting times require a patient for an afternoon operating list to eat a light breakfast before 0600. Often patients do not wake for this, but may not be operated on until 1800. Subsequently, the patient may fast for 24 hours rather than 6 hours.
Evidence has identified various problems caused by fasting. These include discomfort and thirst, but also increased anxiety, increased post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and, if prolonged, dehydration. Recent projects such as the NHS Enhanced Recovery Programme include minimising fasting times as a strategy to optimise speed and quality of recovery following major surgery.
This study is designed with the intention of identifying an objective biochemical marker to demonstrate prolonged fasting is having a biochemical effect within the patient’s body.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1789
Date of REC Opinion
19 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion