Comparative Study of Omeprazole and Ranitidine in Control of Gastric Secretions during Elective Surgeries

This study was undertaken to compare the effects of omeprazole and ranitidine on the volume and pH of gastric contents when administered orally on patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia.

Seventy-five patients of ASA Grade I and II with no history of chronic lung disease or cardiovascular disease were included in this group.

The patients were divided at random into three groups of twenty-five each. One group received placebo tablets and served as control group. Second group received tablet Ranitidine 300 mg on the night before operation and the third group was given tablet Omeprazole 20 mg on the night before operation. In our experience it was seen that a 20 mg dose of omeprazole is more effective compared to 300 mg of ranitidine.

All the patients were examined thoroughly including history, physical examination with routine investigations on the evening before anaesthesia.

Following induction of anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation, nasogastric tube no 16 FG was introduced into stomach and contents were aspirated. Intragastric pH and volume were measured immediately after introduction of nasogastric tube and for second time just before extubation.

In the control group 56% patients were at risk of aspiration.

In ranitidine group 8% patients were at risk of aspiration and in omeprazole group no patient was at risk of aspiration.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of omeprazole, ranitidine and placebo on gastric volume and pH in patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia.