Discomforts related to fasting duration in elderly patients undergoing outpatient ophthalmic surgery

• Main Author: Lopes, Simone Garcia
• Publication Date: 2025
• Other Authors: Ichikawa, Carolliny Rossi de Faria, Mazote, Sabrina Dayane, Morais, Andressa Sábio, Lugarezi, Isabela Finta, Filipini, Rosangela
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: ABCS Health Sciences (Online)
• Download full: https://www.portalnepas.org.br/abcshs/article/view/3074
• topic: fasting; preoperative care; Thirst; perioperative nursing; postoperative care; jejum; cuidados pré-operatórios; sede; Enfermagem perioperatória; Cuidados pós-operatórios

Introduction: Prolonged fasting in perioperative care for elderly patients can cause discomforts that increase stress and irritability, negatively affecting their surgical experience. Objective: To investigate fasting duration and its associated discomforts in elderly patients undergoing outpatient ophthalmic surgery. Methods: A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study with primary and secondary data collection, using forms for sample characterization, the Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale, and the Verbal Thirst Scale, in 51 patients during the pre and post-operative phases of outpatient surgery. Patients aged 60 or older, of both sexes, classified as ASA I or II, who consented to participate, were included. Exclusion criteria included cognitive, neurological, or auditory deficits that could impair communication. Statistical analysis was performed using EPI INFO 2.0 software. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee under opinion No. 4,701,043. Results: The study found that 37 (72.5%) patients fasted preoperatively for 4 to 8 hours, and 14 (27.4%) fasted for 9 to 24 hours. Most surgeries were facectomies (90.2%), with 96.1% of patients classified as ASA II. In the postoperative period, common discomforts included: 34 (66.7%) desire for water; 33 (64.7%) dry mouth; 32 (62.7%) thirst; 26 (51%) dry throat; and 23 (45.1%) dry lips. Conclusion: Fasting durations ranged from 4 to 24 hours, causing discomforts such as thirst and dryness in the mouth, throat, and lips, which are avoidable complications. New fasting guidelines should be followed to minimize these discomforts and improve the patient experience.