Ayuno perioperatorio en adultos: recomendaciones actuales y liberalización de los líquidos claros

Pre-operative fasting aims to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration, but in practice it is often prolonged beyond recommendations. The study therefore aimed to analyse current recommendations on peri-operative fasting in adults, the effects of prolonged fasting and strategies for liberalising clear fluids. A narrative review was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library, with a sample of 14 publications including guidelines, consensus statements, reviews and observational studies. Prolonged fasting impairs wellbeing, glucose metabolism and recovery; aspiration in elective surgery is rare; and clear fluids up to two hours before anaesthesia, or under more liberal protocols, are safe. It was concluded that institutional protocols should be implemented to reduce unnecessary fasting without compromising safety.