Fasting habits over a 10-year period : An observational study on adherence to preoperative fasting and postoperative restoration of oral intake in 2 Dutch hospitals

Background: Since 1999, international guidelines recommend fasting from solid foods up to 6 hours and clear liquids up to 2 hours before surgery. Early recovery after surgery programs recommend restoration of oral intake as soon as possible. This study determines adherence to these guidelines up to 20 years after its introduction. Methods: A 2-center observational study with a 10-year interval was performed in the Netherlands. In period 1 (2009), preoperative fasting time was observed as primary outcome. In period 2 (2019), preoperative fasting and postoperative restoration of oral intake were... Mehr ...