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A member asked:
I'm having surgery in two hours. is it okay to swallow mucus before surgery?
5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Yes. We caution patients not to eat or drink before surgery for one main reason. While putting you to sleep your full stomach can trigger vomiting during a period anesthesia drugs prevent your body from protecting your airway & that vomit can enter your lungs. That precaution does not extend to the natural moistening of the swallow tube as you swallow your own spit as the volume is minimal.
Answered 5/30/2021
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Before major surgery you should not eat or drink anything. Swallowing mucus or saliva is allowed. The risk is aspiration from the anesthesia.
Answered 6/5/2021
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