DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.73296 ISSN: 2050-0904

An Empty Stomach or False Reassurance? Aspiration Pneumonitis Despite Prolonged Preoperative Fasting in a Low‐Risk Patient

Tommaso Foggi Viligiardi, Giulia Borsotti, Gabriele Baldini, Chiara Adembri

ABSTRACT

A healthy 38 year‐old male developed severe bronchospasm and aspiration pneumonitis during anesthesia induction despite 15‐h preoperative fasting. Imaging revealed bilateral pulmonary consolidations and gastric distension. This case visually highlights that prolonged fasting paradoxically fails to guarantee gastric emptiness, emphasizing the need for individualized risk assessment.

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