Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Feb 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudySafety and efficacy of oral rehydration therapy until 2 h before surgery: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.
In many countries, patients are generally allowed to have clear fluids until 2-3 h before surgery. In Japan, long preoperative fasting is still common practice. To shorten the preoperative fasting period in Japan, we tested the safety and efficacy of oral rehydration therapy until 2 h before surgery. ⋯ Oral rehydration therapy until 2 h before surgery is safe and feasible in the low-risk Japanese surgical population. Physicians are encouraged to use this practice to maintain the amount of water in the body and electrolytes and to improve the patient's comfort.