Preoperative Fasting Times and Postoperative Nausea–Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Urological Surgery: Descriptive and Correlational Study

Abstract

Preoperative fasting, a common practise before surgical procedures, is primarily aimed at reducing the risk of pulmonary aspiration during anaesthesia. However, prolonged periods of fasting can lead to discomfort and postoperative complications, including nausea and vomiting, which contribute significantly to patient dissatisfaction and delayed recovery. This study aims to examine the relationship between preoperative fasting durations and postoperative nausea–vomiting. This study is a descriptive and correlational. The research was conducted at the Urology Clinic of a tertiary care hospital, with 259 hospitalised patients included in the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with patients 24 h after surgery. The Patient Assessment Form and the Apfel Simplified Risk Factors Model were utilised for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 25. The average preoperative fasting duration for solid food was determined to be 12.52 ± 2.71 h, and for liquid food was 10.79 ± 2.68 h. It was found that 28.2% of patients experienced postoperative nausea, and 19.9% of the patients experienced vomiting in the postoperative period. Differences were observed in nausea scores according to age, smoking, and postoperative opioid use. A low-level positive correlation was observed between the duration of surgery and nausea scores. In conclusion, patients are exposed to prolonged fasting durations. There is a relationship between preoperative fasting durations and the severity of postoperative nausea.