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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Anesthesiology > NPO guidelines and gum
Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D.
Date: 9/12/2008
Subject: NPO guidelines and gum
Question
Dr. Levy,
Do you know what the ASA NPO guidelines are for chewing gum? I find some resources that say gum chewing does not lower gastric pH and increase gastric volume, but some sources say the opposite. Would you cancel or postpone a case for a patient that has chewed gum? This is for IV sedation (with versed, fentanyl, and propofol). Also, do you require patients to fast 6 or 8 hours for solid foods? Thanks for your help!
Answer
I take a literal approach and would postpose the case. I am not sure if gum was addressed in the ASA guidelines but the current guidelines say 6 hours with no other aspiration risks or 8 hours with other aspiration risks.
Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston
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