Gastric Volume Assessment in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients Using Bedside Ultrasound

This study focuses on understanding the risk of pulmonary aspiration, a serious complication that can occur during surgery, leading to lung damage. This happens when the contents of the stomach are inhaled into the lungs. The risk is higher when the stomach is not empty during the start of surgery, often due to not following fasting rules or delayed stomach emptying. Diabetic patients are at an increased risk because of delayed stomach emptying caused by autonomic dysfunction. The study involves diabetic and non-diabetic patients scheduled for elective surgery, aiming to compare their stomach volumes before surgery. This research is important as it could help improve safety measures for diabetic patients undergoing surgery. On the morning of the surgery, an experienced anesthesiologist, unaware of the patient's diabetic status, will perform a bedside ultrasound using a standard gastric screening protocol. Two experienced anesthesiologists will then evaluate the stomach using a portable ultrasound device, first while the patient is lying down, and then in a right side-lying position. The primary goal is to compare the residual gastric volume, or the amount of leftover content in the stomach, between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. This comparison will help determine if standard preoperative fasting guidelines are effective in ensuring an empty stomach in diabetic patients.