Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 12, 1993                   TAG: 9310120105
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

LIQUIDS BEFORE SURGERY OK, PHYSICIANS DECIDE

Enough studies have been conducted to justify the removal of the restriction against clear liquids before surgery, say physicians attending the American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting this week.

Hunger and thirst before surgery is a complaint of one-third to one-half of all patients, medical officials say.

Anesthesia goes best with an empty stomach because solid food particles or stomach acids that back up from the stomach and enter the lungs can produce serious, sometimes life-threatening, consequences, say medical authorities.

Even after automobile accidents, surgery often is postponed several hours if possible if a person has just eaten, doctors say.

But liquids like water, apple juice and black coffee consumed up until two hours before surgery make little difference, said Dr. Robert Stoelting of the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.

"Many patients are addicted to caffeine. Not having that cup of coffee in the morning will make them extremely nervous before surgery when there is absolutely no risk [if they drink it]," said Dr. Paul White, professor of anesthesiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Doctors used to be taught to send a patient home if he did so much as swallow water while brushing his teeth. Evidence now shows that clear liquids actually help remove other foods from the system, said White.

In young, thin women, prolonged fasting can lead to low blood sugar which can be a problem during surgery, he said.