EFFECT OF I.V. OMEPRAZOLE ON THE pH AND VOLUME OF GASTRIC CONTENTS BEFORE SURGERY

Abstract

Gastric pH and volume were measured in 87 patients who had received i.v. omeprazole (a new gastric antisecretory agent) 40 mg or placebo 1 or 3 h before surgery. Omeprazole increased the pH of gastric contents in the majority of patients. Administration 1 h before surgery produced greater gastric pH and smaller volume than administration 3 h before surgery. There was a reduction in the number of patients with a pH of less than 2.5 and a volume of 25 ml or more in the treated groups compared with the combined placebo groups. Omeprazole may have a role in prophylaxis against acid aspiration syndrome.