ASSESSMENT OF GASTRIC VOLUME IN PARTURIENTS UNDER GOING ELECTIVE AND EMERGENCY CESAREAN SECTION IN YENEPOYA MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

Introduction: Aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs can lead to pneumonitis/pneumonia or acute lung injury which may progress to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring mechanical ventilation, or even death. Pregnant women are considered to be one of the full stomach patients irrespective of their starvation state, because of the both anatomical and physiological changes brought by pregnancy. Hence, women undergoing caesarean section are considered to be at risk of gastric content aspiration.