WITHHOLDING ORAL FLUIDS FROM CHILDREN UNDERGOING DAY SURGERY REDUCES VOMITING

The effect of withholding oral fluids on the incidence of postoperativ e vomiting was evaluated in 317 children undergoing day surgery. Child ren were randomized by cohort into one of two groups either drinking o ral fluids or having oral fluids withhold for 4-6 h postoperatively. A ll patients received replacement intravenous fluids sufficient to cove r the anticipated fasting period. Vomiting was assessed in hospital th rough to the first postoperative day. Compliance to the protocol was e xcellent. The incidence of vomiting in the group with fluids withheld was significantly less than (P<0.004) that of the group which drank (3 8% vs 56%). This difference was seen whether or not patients thought t o be at high risk for postoperative vomiting (strabismus or adenoidect omy +/- tonsillectomy) were included in the analysis. The greatest eff ect of withholding oral fluids was seen in patients receiving opioids (P<0.001) where vomiting was reduced from 73% to 36%. Withholding oral fluids postoperatively from children undergoing day surgery reduces t he incidence of vomiting.