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The Impact of Semi-sitting Position Versus Supine Position on Gastric Emptying in Children Using Gastric Ultrasound

Evaluation of the Impact of Semi-sitting Position Versus Supine Position on Gastric Emptying in Children Using Gastric Ultrasound: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03747796
Enrollment
30
Registered
2018-11-20
Start date
2018-11-25
Completion date
2019-01-13
Last updated
2019-01-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anesthesia, Fasting

Brief summary

The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of semi sitting versus supine positions on gastric emptying of fluids in children using gastric ultrasound. The investigators hypothesize that gastric emptying in children might be faster if the patient is in semi-sitting position. This hypothesis could impact the current guidelines for peri-operative fasting. Moreover, if this proved effective, could be used for enhancement of gastric emptying before emergency operations in non-fasting patient.

Detailed description

Dealing with preoperative fasting requires a meticulous balance ensuring patient safety and lessening patient's discomfort. Although fasting is a basic requirement for avoiding pulmonary aspiration, it is sometimes associated with patient discomfort and hypoglycemia. According to the current guidelines for preoperative fasting of children, fasting is required for 2-hours, 4-hours, and 6-hours period after ingestion of water, breast milk, and infant formula respectively. Limited data is available for the effect of patient positioning on gastric emptying. A previous study had reported that gastric emptying of non-nutrient liquids was faster in the sitting position compared with the left lateral position . Another study showed similar findings after nutritive liquid and solid meals; whilst, a third study had reported that gravity has a little effect on gastric emptying. In pediatric population the effect of posture on the duration of gastric emptying is not well investigated. Gastric ultrasound is a valid, accurate, reproducible, non-invasive, bedside test for evaluation of the gastric volume. gastric ultrasound has been validated in adults as well as children for estimating the volume of gastric contents and evaluating gastric emptying. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of semi sitting versus supine positions on gastric emptying of fluids in children using gastric ultrasound.

Interventions

OTHERSupine position

The children will be placed in the supine position after ingestion of a standard volume of clear fluid

OTHERSemi-sitting position

The children will be placed in the semi-sitting position after ingestion of a standard volume of clear fluid

Sponsors

Cairo University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Children 4 to 16 years of age. * Fasting for elective surgery.

Exclusion criteria

* Gastrointestinal problems that may delay gastric emptying. * Recent abdominal operations. * Major systemic diseases which could impact gastric emptying.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of children who have complete gastric emptying30 minutes after ingestion of clear fluidNumber of children who have complete gastric emptying defined as return of the antral cross-sectional area to the baseline reading

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Antral cross-sectional area corrected to the body weight3 hours after ingestion of clear fluidAntral cross-sectional area divided by the body weight
Hunger satiety score3 hours after ingestion of clear fluidA score which measures the degree of patient satiety. The score ranges from zero which is the worst value, to five which is the best value.
Number of children who have complete gastric emptying60 minutes after ingestion of clear fluidNumber of children who have complete gastric emptying after 60 minutes, defined as return of the antral cross-sectional area to the baseline reading

Countries

Egypt

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026