ASPIRATION: PERIOPERATIVE -- PREVENTING AND MANAGING

Course overview

Gastric aspiration, also called Mendelson¿s syndrome, is the passage of passively regurgitated or vomited gastric contents into the lungs. Patients undergoing surgery are at increased risk for gastric aspiration because anesthetic drugs and neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) have diminished the patient¿s level of consciousness and deadened the upper gastrointestinal reflexes that normally prevent gastric material from entering the trachea. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of how to prevent and manage perioperative aspiration. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.