%0 Journal Article
%T The relationship between gastric ultrasound findings and endoscopically aspirated volume in infants and determining the antral cutoff value for empty stomach diagnosis.
%A Sever F
%A Özmert S
%A Dereci S
%J Paediatr Anaesth
%V 34
%N 6
%D 2024 06 10
%M 37814933
%F 2.129
%R 10.1111/pan.14776
%X Pulmonary aspiration of gastric content is a serious perioperative complication. The objective of this prospective study was to assess the relationship between the gastric volumes suctioned endoscopically and quantitative (antral cross-section area) and qualitative (empty vs. nonempty) examination of the gastric antrum. Furthermore, the study aimed to determine the best antral cross-section area cutoff value for a truly empty antrum in infants.<BR>This study was performed in a pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy unit. Antral sonography was performed in supine and right lateral decubitus positions in 46 fasted infants prior to upper gastrointestinal endoscopic evaluation. Antral cross-sectional area measurements in both positions and qualitative evaluation of the antrum (according to a three-point grading system) were recorded. Gastric contents were endoscopically suctioned and measured.<BR>Forty-six patients (aged under 24 months) were included. According to the three-point qualitative grading system, 76.1% of patients were classified as grade 0. The best cutoff value for the antral cross-section area in the right lateral decubitus position, indicating an empty antrum, was determined to be 2.40 cm2. At this specific cutoff value, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 68.6%, and the negative predictive value was 100%.<BR>Gastric ultrasonography can confirm an empty or nearly empty stomach in healthy infants.