Using gastric ultrasound to assess aspiration risk before surgery

Gastric Ultrasound for Estimation of the Aspiration Risk in High Aspiration-risk Surgical Patient Populations

Observational University of Florida · NCT03310528

This study tests if using ultrasound to check for leftover food in the stomach can help doctors understand the risk of aspiration in patients before surgery, especially for those who might not have fasted properly.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 99 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Florida Academic / other
Locations1 site (Gainesville, Florida)
Trial IDNCT03310528 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research examines the effectiveness of current anesthesia guidelines regarding pre-surgical fasting in patients likely to have delayed gastric emptying. It utilizes ultrasound to evaluate residual gastric contents in patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy, both those who have adhered to fasting guidelines and those who have not. The goal is to better understand aspiration risk in these populations and determine if current fasting guidelines are appropriate.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults presenting for upper GI endoscopy procedures who are expected to have an oral-gastric tube placed.

Not a fit: Patients who are unwilling to undergo an ultrasound exam or those for whom oral-gastric tube placement is contraindicated will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved safety protocols for patients undergoing surgery, reducing the risk of aspiration.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using gastric ultrasound is innovative, similar studies have not been widely reported, making this a novel investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Presenting for upper GI endoscopy procedures or surgical repair of a trauma- related injury
* Expected to have an oral-gastric tube placed as part of scheduled procedure
* Willing to undergo an ultrasound exam
* Patients ≥ 18 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unwilling to undergo an ultrasound exam
* Oral-gastric tube placement is not indicated
* Oral-gastric tube placement is contraindicated
* Pregnant patients and patients from defined vulnerable populations (ex. pediatric patients, mentally handicapped patients, prisoners, etc.)
* Surgical trauma patients who are not expected to have an OG tube placed during surgery
* Patients with history of gastric bypass surgery
* Patients that are gastrostomy tube dependent

Where this trial is running

Gainesville, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Respiratory Aspiration of Gastric ContentsAspiration riskGI EndoscopyFasting guidelinesDelayed gastric emptying
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.