Clinical Research Directory

Ultrasound Assessment of Gastric Emptying in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate dynamic changes in gastric volume and gastric emptying time using bedside gastric ultrasound in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients. The study compares gastric emptying patterns among patients receiving different types of enteral nutrition solutions as part of routine clinical care.

Gastric Ultrasound Before Elective Cesarean Section

Due to the physiologically delayed gastric emptying in pregnant women, the potential risk of aspiration before cesarean delivery constitutes an important source of perioperative complications, and when it occurs, it is associated with increased maternal morbidity and/or mortality. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have demonstrated that, compared with non-pregnant women, gastric emptying is delayed particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy, and that gastric emptying does not occur in cases who have consumed solid food within the last 8 hours and in whom labor has begun. This study aims to evaluate preoperative gastric volumes by ultrasonography in ASA II pregnant women (according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, healthy parturients without complications) scheduled to undergo elective cesarean delivery under general or spinal anesthesia, based on different fasting durations for solid and liquid intake, with the type of liquid. Although previous research in pregnant populations has predominantly focused on the importance of gastric ultrasonography in the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus, this thesis study aims to generate data from the general population. The findings are expected to enable individualized preventive measures to reduce aspiration-related complications during cesarean deliveries performed under general or spinal anesthesia, thereby contributing to patient safety.

Correlation of Preoperative Gastric Residual Volume With Body Mass Index and Aspiration Risk in Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is a chronic, complex disease defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the excessive accumulation of fat in the body that can harm health. Since 1975, the prevalence of obesity has been increasing worldwide, making it a significant public health issue. Body mass index (BMI) is important in diagnosing obesity. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight (kg) by the square of their height (m²). BMI: weight (kg) / height² (m²). According to the WHO, a BMI between 30.0-34.9 kg/m² is classified as Class 1 obesity, between 35.0-39.9 kg/m² as Class 2 obesity, between 40-49.9 kg/m² as Class 3 obesity, and ≥50.0 kg/m² as super obesity. Obesity is closely related to increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide, and in obese patients, the incidence of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, depression, other psychiatric disorders, and gastroesophageal reflux has increased. Treatment options for obesity include lifestyle changes, specific diets, diet-drug combinations, metabolic and various bariatric surgical options. Among these treatment options, metabolic and bariatric surgical procedures are considered the most effective methods for weight loss. Aspiration of gastric contents is a significant perioperative complication that can cause up to 9% of anesthesia-related deaths. Due to delayed gastric emptying in obese patients, the risk of aspiration is higher compared to non-obese patients. In obese patients, preoperative anesthesia management is more challenging, and the risk of pulmonary aspiration is greater. Since obesity is an independent risk factor for patients with a full stomach, and airway management can be difficult in these patients, it is essential to assess the aspiration risk in the preoperative period. Anesthesia guidelines recommend that to improve the quality and effectiveness of anesthesia care and reduce the severity of potential complications related to perioperative pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents, adults and children should be allowed to drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before elective surgery, and solid food consumption should be prohibited 6 hours before elective surgery. Recently, with the integration of ultrasound into anesthesia practice, ultrasound has been applied in various surgical procedures and clinical conditions. The use of ultrasound to evaluate the risk of aspiration in the preoperative period and to determine the residual gastric volume is increasingly being used in clinical practice. The use of gastric ultrasound to assess aspiration risk has also been increasing in pediatric patient groups and pregnant patients, similar to obese patient groups. In this study, the investigators' aim is to determine the relationship between BMI, fasting duration, and aspiration risk by assessing the gastric residual volume in the preoperative period through gastric ultrasonography in patients with obesity who will undergo bariatric surgery.

Gastric Emptying Time in Traumatic Injuries

The investigators plan to do serial sonographic examinations of the gastric antrum (quantity, quality) to estimate the gastric emptying time and dependant factors after traumatic injurys.

Feasibility of Nurse-performed Gastric Ultrasound After Surgery

Gastric ultrasound is a quick and non-invasive tool to evaluate gastric content. Emptying of gastric content can be affected after abdominal surgery leading to the inability of tolerating oral foods. Gastric content can be assessed by gastric ultrasound and nurses were recently trained to do so in healthy volunteers; however, feasibility of nurse-performed gastric ultrasound after major abdominal surgery is not investigated yet. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of nurse-performed gastric point-of-care ultrasound after major gastro-intestinal surgery.

Gastric Ultrasound in Elective Surgical Diabetic Patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of gastric ultrasound in elective surgical diabetic patients.