How long does it take to fast during general anesthesia surgery

General anesthesia is a relatively large operation, because most people who need general anesthesia need surgery. However, general anesthesia is also very harmful to the body. You need to fast for a short period of time right after the operation, and you cannot eat many foods. The patient's physical condition must also be paid attention to in time. You must wait until the intestines are discharged after the operation before you can eat. The time for eating under general anesthesia is at least six hours.

Preoperative fasting time Local anesthesia : No fasting is required.

Epidural anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, intravenous anesthesia, tracheal anesthesia, brachial plexus anesthesia, etc., at least 6 hours. You should not eat or drink anything for 6 to 8 hours before surgery, especially for gastrointestinal or abdominal surgeries. This is to empty the stomach and avoid vomiting during surgery. Because under anesthesia, surgical operations will irritate the peritoneum or internal organs, and anesthetic drugs will have adverse effects on the digestive system and may cause vomiting. Due to the effects of anesthesia, the protective function of the patient's respiratory tract has been weakened or disappeared, so vomited gastric contents can be accidentally inhaled into the respiratory tract. If accidentally inhaled into the lungs, it can cause aspiration pneumonia.

Obstruction of the airway can threaten the patient's life. In addition, vomiting may cause contamination of the operating table. Therefore, adults generally fast for at least 8 hours, preferably 12 hours, before surgery to keep the stomach completely empty. Postoperative recovery time

Viewpoint 1: Local anesthesia: You can eat after surgery. Intravenous anesthesia: You can eat after waking up from anesthesia (usually takes 2-4 hours). Epidural anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, tracheal anesthesia, brachial plexus anesthesia: at least 6 hours. The specific eating time depends on the surgery.

Viewpoint 2: The 4th edition of "Surgical Nursing" (2007) clearly stipulates that patients undergoing non-abdominal surgery under general anesthesia can only eat after they are fully awake and have no nausea or vomiting. They will be given liquid diet first, and then changed to semi-liquid or normal diet depending on the situation.

Viewpoint 3: It depends on the nature of the surgery. Generally, for non-gastrointestinal surgeries, you can drink water 24 hours after the operation and eat liquid food on the second day after the operation. You don’t have to wait for the gas to be passed before eating. After gastrointestinal surgery, a small amount of liquid can usually be given after the gas is exhausted, and a full amount of liquid can be given after 2 to 3 days. After another 1 to 2 days, a semi-liquid diet can be given, and after 2 weeks, soft food or normal diet can be given. Patients who undergo local anesthesia or minor surgery can eat after surgery.

Everyone's situation is different. Generally, the discharge of gas after surgery is used as a sign that you can eat. The fastest time is 6 hours, and the slowest time is 1 to 2 days. Because surgical anesthesia can weaken the peristalsis of intestinal smooth muscle.

Personal summary : Local anesthesia: You can eat after the operation, starting with liquid food. Non-gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia: Generally, fasting is required for 6 hours after surgery. In some cases, patients can eat after they are fully awake and have no nausea or vomiting. Liquid diet is given first, and then changed to semi-liquid or normal diet depending on the situation. Gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia: Eat only after the gas is expelled, starting with liquid food.