- Patients should be assessed for gastroesophageal reflux disease, dysphagia symptoms, or other gastrointestinal motility disorders preoperatively as they may require individual recommendations for perioperative fasting (Level of evidence: Low)
- Patients should be encouraged to drink clear fluids up to 2 hours before anesthesia administration. Clear fluids include coffee and tea (without milk), and drinks that are high in carbohydrates (i.e. apple juice and pulp-free orange juice) (Level of evidence: High)
- Patients can consume breast milk up to 4 hours prior to anesthesia administration (Level of evidence: Low)
- Patients should be allowed to eat solid foods until midnight the night before surgery (Level of evidence: High)
- The routine use of antiemetics, antacids, H2 blockers and gastric stimulants are not recommended (Level of evidence: Low)
- These medications should be considered when GI motility is impaired or patients are not NPO but require an urgent surgical intervention.
