Expert: JM Starkman, MD - 9/14/2009

Question
What medicine does anesthesiologist give to patients to ensure they don't aspirate during surgery?

Answer
'Medications' given during surgery that address the 'pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents' issue do not prevent aspiration but, instead, decrease the acidity of stomach acid making aspiration less likely to do serious damage to lungs in the event an aspiration does occur.  To the extent that they also decrease the volume of acid secreted, they may have a preventive role as well......something the pharmaceutical firms touting this indication have never quite sold me on!

Patients at risk for aspiration need to be properly evaluated by an anesthesiologist preoperatively and have a cuffed endotracheal tube placed immediately after the induction of anesthesia to prevent this serious complication.